Chat
11-15-2015, 12:20 PM
Aw... Taffy I love it when you post pictures with Pac-Man! Tell Eldon and Debbi to get on here too! I still swear Jethro belongs over here in my herd. He's a perfect match for Finn. 
Charlie Horse, you should go over to Driving Lessons and take a look at the harness and cart set-up. I'm seeing a few things that could easily be improved in your pony and cart hitch to make it safer and more comfortable for pony and people alike. All the equine driving stuff translates over to goat hitches. My favorite driving book is called A Teamster's View: More and Different by Steve Bowers. It's what got me started in my carriage business since I had no place to go to take lessons. It's got a ton of great technical info on how to adjust the harness and hitch to be safe and comfortable.
As for driving goat teams, I'm concerned about the goats not getting along too, but I think I can make this work with Finn and Sputnik since they've gotten to be pretty good friends. I'm also considering the idea of training them to bits and bridles instead of just halters. This would make my steering and stopping aids more effective, and I could also attach an overcheck if I find that they are interfering with each other too much. A properly adjusted overcheck can keep them from swinging their heads too far to either side without interfering with their natural forward movement.
Charlie Horse, you should go over to Driving Lessons and take a look at the harness and cart set-up. I'm seeing a few things that could easily be improved in your pony and cart hitch to make it safer and more comfortable for pony and people alike. All the equine driving stuff translates over to goat hitches. My favorite driving book is called A Teamster's View: More and Different by Steve Bowers. It's what got me started in my carriage business since I had no place to go to take lessons. It's got a ton of great technical info on how to adjust the harness and hitch to be safe and comfortable.
As for driving goat teams, I'm concerned about the goats not getting along too, but I think I can make this work with Finn and Sputnik since they've gotten to be pretty good friends. I'm also considering the idea of training them to bits and bridles instead of just halters. This would make my steering and stopping aids more effective, and I could also attach an overcheck if I find that they are interfering with each other too much. A properly adjusted overcheck can keep them from swinging their heads too far to either side without interfering with their natural forward movement.