Do Not Try This At Home!

I don't know what I was thinking. I thought it would be easy. All I had to do was catch a few goats, lead them up to the arena and set them free to eat weeds. Boy, was I ever wrong! This had to be the toughest half hour out of all the days I have been off of work! I first walk out to the pasture. Everyone comes down to greet me at the gate, except for Walter, who was taking a goat nap. I was not going to be bringing him out. He has an old leg injury, so it is hard for him to get around. We are thinking we might have to have him euthanized soon. That will be a very sad day. He is my favorite goat.



I put the leadrope on Ralph's collar. I get him out the gate and start to head up to the arena. My first mistake was not locking the dogs up. Silly me, I forgot they are herding dogs, so they were nipping at Ralph's heels. He kept spinning around and trying to head butt the dogs. I was dragging him while he was trying to go the other direction. I finally got some forward movement. Than he started to run. Than he stopped. The dogs continued nipping at his heels. I get him moving forward again, he took off in a direction I did not want him to go. I held on with both hands for dear life. If I let go of the rope, I didn't know if I'd be able to catch him again. If there was snow on the ground, I would have worn ski's and I could have gone for the ride of my life. I only weigh 104 lbs, I think Ralph weighs the same, if not more. Plus he has big horns. I regain my balance and get his butt to the arena. Whew! I was out of breath. I sat on the picnic table and debated with myself about just stopping at the one goat. After a 5 minute break, I decided I'd get one more. I decided to get Edgar. He walks better on the leash. I still had to drag him, but he was easier to get to the arena. I again took a couple minute break at the picnic table. I tried talking myself into stopping at 2 goats. Nope, had to go get another one. This time I was smart. I just opened the gate and set Rowdy free. I didn't have any strength left to drag, pull, get pulled or get drug again. He ran up to the arena. I was hoping he'd run to the gate. Nope. I had to go get him, hoping I would be able to catch him. I kept calling the dogs off. I finally get Rowdy and drag him to the arena gate. Thank goodness I didn't have to bring the 4th goat up! And my OH wonders why I never stake the goats out! They are so much stronger than me. I survived goat wrestling.



The goats weren't too happy being in the arena. I don't think they understood why they were in there. We have put them in there before. They just stood around. I kept telling them they better get to work. I am sure if my neighbors were outside and heard me talking to my goats, they would probably try to have me committed or something.



They kept going to the gate. They thought after all that work getting them to the arena, I was going to open the gate and put them away! I don't think so silly goats!



Hey goats! Get to work!!



I am pretty sure Fritzy got a good laugh watching the whole fiasco. I am very surprised I didn't end up on my butt. The last thing I need in another injury right before my annual Pony Cousins trip. It's kind of funny that I can wrestle 1200 lb horses, but can't control a 100 lb goat!



Aha! Good boy Rowdy!! As soon as I walked away, they all started eating.



It is so dusty around here from the severe lack of rain, that it looks like there is a constant haze. Any movement from a goat and the dust just made a huge cloud. I couldn't get a clear picture of Sadie.



The goats were out all day. I was interested in seeing how much work they did. We headed back up to the arena to send them back to their pasture. They are waiting for us, of course!



I always work the pasture gate, while my OH takes up the rear. Here they come full speed.



Umm, Bailey! Herding is your specialty! What are you doing? You can't herd the goats being in the front!



Oh well, I guess that is why I keep my OH around! If the dogs aren't going to get it done, than the OH will!



There we go! The dogs are back! Way to go Aussie's!



Oops. I was supposed to be on gate duty. I was too busy taking pictures, that I forgot to open the gate! Sorry goats!



That's okay, my OH got it. Sadie is trying to bite Rowdy's butt. Well, she isn't actually going to bite him, she just wants the goats to get in the pasture!



Here is one happy goat, back in the comfort of his pasture with his horses. See the haze in the air still? This is what we are living with right now. Yuck!



This is more like it!



I will not attempt to do this again. I realized that I can't control the goats anymore. Thank goodness I put my wrist brace on, or I would have probably made it worse, just when it is finally starting to get better! I am going to leave goat wrestling to my OH from now on!!!!