I am a second year milker, and have three goats, and more on the way. My goats are reasonably tame, but I want a way to handle them well. Have used dog collars, but they are getting a "rubbed" spot on back of necks where hair is gone and a callous is formed. Can I use halters on the goats? I found halters for miniature horses that would fit, but am wondering if they could be dangerous:goats being climbers and head-stuffers. Has anyone used them? Could they be a danger when heads are stuck in/over fences etc.? Did I do something wrong in use of the collar? I do know that at shows, a chain collar is usual( mine was the nylon webbing).Do I need to just tame better:)? Thanks for any insight and advice. JJ

-- JJ Menzel (menzel@netins.net), January 18, 2002

Answers

I usually use a dog collar, maybe you have yours too tight. My llama halters work really well, they seem to have the same shape and size head as a goat. These halters are fully adjustable too so you can size them to fit better.

-- Susan northern MN (nanaboo@paulbunyan.net), January 18, 2002.

We also use the dog collar type, and do experience the missing hair etc. They are loose enough to grab hold easily, but any looser and they lose them. I don't know how one could make a goat any more tame than teaching them to lead when they are babies, which we do. Any goat gets headstrong and will give a try at going some other direction than what you have in mind, so I find the collars necessary.

-- Dianne Wood (woodgoat@pacifier.com), January 18, 2002.

If you use a plastic goat chain (such as Khimaira sells), you have a good strong collar to work with, without the rubbing, but will break away if the goat gets in trouble. If your goats have horns though, they could be a problem.

-- Kim Bailey (bailey@hilly-acre.com), January 18, 2002.

Same answers as all the others, they will eventually rub marks on the neck with dog collars, make sure your collars are always web material with plastic snaps and buckles, these will break if the goat needs them to. For me halters are ugly, we actually did use them originally, I am also not a fan of the clunky plastic chains. But anything is better than baling twine around their necks :) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 18, 2002.

I also agree with Vicki, anything but a halter. Although i like the plastic chains the best. We have never really experienced the neck rubbing from the plastic. As for ahalter, well, its not safe, can't break away in case they got hung up.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 18, 2002.