hiking with goats

I chose two goats, Pip and Squeak, from a local farm․ Pip, a sturdy Nubian, was experienced․ Squeak, a playful Toggenburg, was a bit of a handful but full of energy․ Their contrasting personalities promised an interesting hike!

Finding the Perfect Pair

Finding the right goat companions wasn’t as simple as I initially thought! I visited several farms, speaking with breeders and observing their herds․ I wanted goats with a good temperament, comfortable around humans, and ideally, some hiking experience․ Some goats were too timid, others too boisterous․ One particularly stubborn goat, a magnificent, but grumpy, Saanen named Bartholomew, headbutted my water bottle․ I knew he wasn’t for me! Then, at Willow Creek Farm, I met Pip and Squeak․ Pip, a Nubian with a calm demeanor and intelligent eyes, had accompanied her previous owner on several trails․ She seemed confident and steady, exactly the type of lead goat I was hoping for․ Squeak, a younger Toggenburg, was a whirlwind of playful energy․ She bounced around the pen, her little horns twitching with curiosity․ While her exuberance initially worried me, the farmer assured me she was well-trained and simply full of life․ I decided to take a chance on their contrasting personalities․ Pip’s experience and calm nature balanced Squeak’s boundless energy perfectly․ I spent a good hour with them, getting to know their individual quirks and personalities, ensuring they were comfortable with my presence and vice versa․ I even shared some goat treats to build a little rapport․ After careful consideration, I knew I’d found my perfect hiking partners․ I loaded them into my specially adapted trailer and brought them home, excited for our upcoming adventure!

Preparing for the Hike

I packed plenty of water and snacks for myself and the goats․ For Pip and Squeak, I had special goat treats, and a sturdy halter and lead for each․ My backpack held a first-aid kit, extra water, and a map․ Safety first!

Gear Up, Goat and Human!

Preparing for a hike with goats isn’t just about packing my own essentials; it’s about ensuring the well-being and comfort of my furry companions, Pip and Squeak․ I started by fitting them with their halters and leads – sturdy, yet comfortable enough to avoid chafing․ These weren’t just any halters; I chose ones specifically designed for goats, with padded areas to prevent rubbing․ Next came the treats! I packed a mix of their favorite snacks – some crunchy pellets, a few pieces of apple, and some specially formulated goat biscuits for energy boosts along the trail․ Water was crucial, so I filled two sturdy, leak-proof bottles․ One was for me, and the other was for the goats, ensuring they stayed hydrated throughout our adventure․ For myself, I packed my usual hiking gear⁚ comfortable hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and my trusty walking stick․ I also included a small first-aid kit, just in case of minor scrapes or injuries for either myself or the goats․ A map and compass were essential, as was my charged phone, in case of emergencies․ Finally, I added a small bag of extra hay, just in case Pip and Squeak needed a little extra sustenance during our climb․ It was quite the packing job, but ensuring everyone was prepared made all the difference․

The Hike Itself

The trail began gently, then steepened․ Pip, ever the steady one, led the way․ Squeak, however, needed constant encouragement, often stopping to nibble wildflowers․ The views were breathtaking!

Up the Mountain We Go!

The ascent was challenging, even for me! Pip, bless her heart, took to the incline like a mountain goat should․ She navigated the rocky path with ease, her surefootedness inspiring confidence․ Squeak, on the other hand, required a bit more coaxing․ More than once, I found myself gently guiding her over particularly tricky sections, offering words of encouragement and the occasional tasty treat․ The trail wound upwards, revealing stunning panoramas at every turn․ Lush green valleys stretched out below, dotted with the occasional farmhouse, their red roofs like scattered jewels․ Further off, the mountain peaks pierced the sky, their jagged silhouettes stark against the brilliant blue․ I paused frequently, not just to catch my breath, but also to soak in the breathtaking scenery, the crisp mountain air filling my lungs․ Squeak, surprisingly, proved to be a great motivator․ Her playful antics and occasional bleats of delight kept my spirits high, even when my legs were burning․ We progressed steadily, the rhythmic thud of our boots on the trail a comforting soundtrack to our adventure․ The goats, surprisingly, adapted well to the uneven terrain, their hooves finding purchase on the loose rocks and earth with surprising agility․ It was a truly unforgettable experience, bonding with nature and my two furry companions․

Unexpected Challenges

Halfway up, Squeak decided a particularly muddy patch was a perfect spa․ I spent a good ten minutes coaxing her out, myself covered in mud! It was messy, but also incredibly funny․

A Sticky Situation

We were about halfway up Mount Baldy, the sun warm on our backs, when disaster, or rather, mud, struck․ Pip, bless her sensible heart, was carefully picking her way along the trail, but Squeak, ever the adventurous one, had other ideas․ She spotted a particularly glorious patch of mud – a deep, rich, chocolate-brown expanse that looked suspiciously like a spa treatment․ Before I could even utter a word of warning, she’d launched herself into it with gusto, rolling and writhing with the pure joy only a goat can truly express․ I watched, initially horrified, as she became increasingly encrusted in the thick, clinging mud․ It was less a mud puddle and more a miniature quicksand pit․

My carefully planned hiking attire, which included my favourite new hiking boots, was already beginning to feel the effects of Squeak’s muddy enthusiasm․ I tried gentle coaxing first, offering tempting treats of dried apple and a particularly delicious piece of carrot․ Squeak, however, was far too engrossed in her mud bath to even notice․ Her happy grunts and the gleeful swishing of her tail were a stark contrast to my growing sense of panic․ I knew I couldn’t just leave her there; she was far too happy for her own good․ So, I braced myself and waded in․ It was surprisingly deep, and the mud was incredibly sticky, clinging to my boots and trousers like a second skin․ After what felt like an eternity of wrestling with a very muddy, very content goat, I finally managed to lure her out․ Both of us were covered head to toe in the stuff, looking like we’d been wrestling a particularly large chocolate cake․

The rest of the hike was less about conquering the mountain and more about navigating the treacherous terrain while simultaneously trying to avoid leaving a trail of muddy goat-shaped footprints․ Let’s just say, the views from Mount Baldy were spectacular, but they were definitely overshadowed by the sheer hilarity of the situation․ And the cleaning process afterwards? Let’s not even go there․

Reflections on the Experience

A Hilarious Success!

Despite the mud incident, hiking with Pip and Squeak was a resounding success! The laughter far outweighed the cleaning․ I’d recommend it to anyone – just maybe pack extra towels!