Climbing Toy for the Goats

A number of months ago, Brett saw a picture of a climbing apparatus for goats in a magazine.  He's been thinking, and plotting, ever since.  At Aspen Meadows the goats had huge boulders to climb but here, other than their igloos, there isn't anything to climb on.  And goats love, love, love to climb.

Black goats: Whiskey & Cowboy; Thistle in the air, Bear to the right.  Jackson in the background.

Brett build a three level goat jungle gym.

There are rocks to clamber on for getting to the fist level.  Bear doesn't need them, but the smaller goats appreciate them.

Cowboy and Whiskey

There is a gangplank between the levels on each shelf and then a jump up to the next level.

Bear in the foreground, Whiskey on the first level and Cowboy checking it out on the right.

Bear was the first one up; followed by Cowboy (the larger of the black goats).  They immediately had a head butting contest, which Bear won.  The posts are great for rubbing those darn itchy spots, especially during the spring when they are shedding.

Whiskey thinks the first level is a great place to take a nap.

In the evening, Bear climbs to top level and happily surveys his world.

We haven't seem Thistle (who is cautious) up there yet but I'm sure we will soon.  Bear says the view is awesome.

Random Friday

1.  Brett has been busy building a climbing "toy" for the goats.  He has two of the three levels done and its already a huge hit with the goats -- especially Bear.  I'll take pictures of it, completed, this weekend.  He is building it next to the pile of rocks in this picture.

2.  Tex has been a good sport about taking his ulcer paste.  We have a routine: I go into the pasture, halter him, show him the tube of paste and let him get a good sniff so he knows exactly what's coming, he steps backwards one step and says "ewwww", then he stands quietly and accepts the stuff.  Next we walk to the gate where his bucket of magnesium mixed with sweet feed is waiting.  He loves this part, and licks all the way around the bowl when he finishes to get every last morsel.  We only have five more doses of ulcer paste left.  He has also been started on ulcer medication.  Sweet feed wasn't enough to make it palatable so I add a smidge of molasses and that does the trick.  I'm hoping that as he gets used to the taste, he won't require the molasses.  He'll be on this medication for three months.

3.  We have a beautiful weekend on tap and I'd really love to ride Lucy but don't think its in the cards.  My sciatic is better, but not gone.  Every time it stops hurting, I do something stupid like lift a pail of rain water and set it off again.  Grrrr.  Somehow, I don't think trotting is going to be a happy thing for my back if I can't even lift a bucket or take off my boots without pain.

4.  We've been keeping Jackson in the small arena, next to the pasture where Tex and Flash hang out.  He stays pretty sound (he's always gimpy when turning) as long as the weather is dry.  But, with each of the past rainy spells he has gotten an abscess.  I don't like to put on trail boots because his feet get stinky, wet, warm inside which is a prime environment for thrush.  We are looking into lowering a section of the wall around the covered round pen.  That way, he could stay on dry footing but he could see outside to his buddies as well.  Right now, he doesn't mind being in there as long as the other horses are in the barn. But, that is rare and the roundpen is super claustrophobic with its high walls that go all the way around.