MR. Trouble!

I borrowed my mom's camera so I could document the new goats first time out in the pasture.  We set it up so they can still get in their pen and barn away from Chrome and Zep.  Then we had to encourage them to leave their pen.  They didn't want to go out at first, but then they realized how much there is to eat and started gobbling up weeds and leaves!  Yay weeds!!!

Check out who is approaching in the background of the above picture... Mr. Trouble!

It started out fine with him following them around, just acting curious.

He got closer and closer.  The goats didn't seem afraid of him at all.

Then he started pushing them.  Literally shoving them with his nose to make them move away... a herding horse??

 

The dark brown goat turned around and threatened Chrome, who just pawed at him... then the goat's horn got stuck on Chrome's leg.  They both stood there confused and not knowing how to disentangle.  Then Chrome stepped forward, over the goat and directly onto his leg.  The goat started screaming and I smacked Chrome on the butt to drive him away.  The goat carried his leg up for a while, but it's not broken.  I feel so sorry for the poor guy.

When I smacked Chrome he went into the round pen and started grazing.  We sat and watched the goats eating weeds, watching to see if the brown one would start using his leg again (he did).  Then I brought Chrome back over toward them.  When he spotted them he BOLTED at them, chasing them, striking out with his front hooves and biting at them............... WTF!!!!  They couldn't outrun him either.  I chased him off with one of my PVC cavaletti poles.... they both escaped unscathed.

So Chrome used to do the exact same thing to dogs, but now he will not even look at Jackal.  He knows if he hurts my dog he will be in huge trouble!  So I have no doubts I can teach him not to chase the goats, but I am a little disappointed he reacted so strongly.  I think it started out as playfulness and then when they started running away he went into stallion kill mode.  Sigh.  When he bolted after them a second time they ran straight to their barn thank goodness.  So I'm hoping they now have a healthy fear of the evil horse.  During all of this Zep just stood watching with no concern at all.  He was with our whole herd of goats for a whole summer so I know he's fine. We will try again tomorrow to see if Chrome will accept them or if they will at least wise up and avoid him.  I'll also try to get my baseline two point time tomorrow.  I was too busy taking limbs (small trees) off of the fence this evening after work from a recent storm.  The fence was pulled down to knee height so I'm relieved the horses didn't get out.

Anyway I hope you enjoyed the pictures.  I'll update again tomorrow.  In the meantime I have to think of names for the boys!

2pointober 2014!

I decided to join the 2pointober challenge this year!  Basically we get a baseline for how long we can hold a two point position and then over the course of a month we try to improve on that baseline.  I didn't think I could join because I have an Aussie saddle and there is no way Chrome could trot (not to mention there is no place) for that long, but L. said we can use whatever saddle we have and it can be at any gait, so I'm game for trying it out!  :D  For more information and to sign up for the challenge check out the post at Viva Carlos HERE.  I'll get my baseline ASAP!

We have goats!!

We were planning to get goats next spring because we need help maintaining the pastures.  When we had our herd of Boer goats here a few years ago the place looked amazing.  Well today someone brought two male Pygmy goats up to the school where my husband works and left them there.  They had used them for practicing goat tying (rodeo) but they didn't need them anymore so they were giving them away for free to a good home.  Even though I didn't want Pygmies (had them when I was a kid and they are master escape artists) and definitely not bucks (we will castrate them) I'm glad we went and got them.  They are a bit skittish, but they are adorable and sweet goats.  For now they are in the small chicken pen, but eventually they will go out with the horses.  I'm guessing they already know to run from horses since they were used for goat tying, so hopefully Chrome won't hurt them (I'm nervous!).  I still have to think of names!!  I'm thinking of sticking to my theme from before (Kudzu, Muscadine, Jasmine, Primrose, Alyssum, Zinnia, Sassafras, Hairy Vetch, etc.), but I'm open to other suggestions as well.  :D

 Chrome trotting up to see what we're doing.

Sorry for the cell phone pictures!

 I love that neck!

I'm not used to him having a mane... so weird looking, but I'm letting it grow out for the winter. I'll roach it again next spring.  :)

 The sun in this one is so cool!  I didn't edit it at all.

Sorry for all the horse pictures instead of goats... hehe.

 Jackal was curious too!

 And Zep!  OMG look at that face!!!!!

 Isn't he gorgeous???  I've never had a Pygmy that color!

 Jackal saying hi.  

Don't worry hubby wasn't pulling on his horn, just holding him so he wouldn't run off.

Boy is so handsome even though part of his mane won't stay on the correct side anymore....

 

 There is the other boy.  All of the other pictures didn't turn out.  :(

I had a goat that looked just like him when I was a kid.

I'm so excited!!  I have soooo missed having goats and although I wasn't looking to get any right now, I'm thinking maybe it was meant to be.  :)

So any name suggestions?