Anyone know anything about goats?

[Itsthawooluff]

I've been offered 4 goats, and I've no idea whether you can keep them on the same land as horses, or whether that's a complete no no. They include pygmy goats - which look very cute.

I'm hoping they might like all the things the horses don't!

Do you want the good news or the bad news ? The good news is that they like living with horses, and horses like them.

The bad news is that they are fussy eaters, escape artists, and don't like living out..

But I love goats, and if you are prepared to deal with their foibles, are great pets. You have to register as a smallholding and do all the DEFRA movement books etc though

I had a goat as a child (while ago!). Don't know about liking horses, but very accomplished escape artists and eat things they really shouldn't (clothes, hair, rugs, poisinous plants!) and will need good shelter if you don't bring them in at night/in cold weather.

On the plus side, they will eat some of the things horses wont so help with pasture management and can be great characters and very friendly.

Goats are fab. I would love a goat. Oh get a goat. Goats love horses. That's where the expression 'got his goat' comes from - racehorses and goats used to be kept together for companionship. But they are a complete pita- escape from anywhere, eat anything, but fab

I know some racehorse trainers who keep goats as companions for their horses. However be prepared for the odd casualty. One trainer didn't bother naming his goats as he said there was a good chance the horses would kill them (not sure if this was by mistake or intent).

I know people who keep goats and horses/ponies in same paddock, feeding time is a NIGHTMARE

Goat tastes nice ime!!

Goats... well, the ones we had didn't eat much grass. They liked hay and horses' dinners a lot. Oh, and their own food of course. They like an activity area, platforms to climb on,logs, old feed tubs, stuff like that. They do need a good dry shelter to use, with plenty of straw and well insulated. Their hooves need trimming, did you know that? I hadn't thought of it, and I can tell you it was... an interesting experience...!
Bearing in mind how much "fun" they can be to handle, I'd go for little goats every time.