Horses are extremely stressed out creatures, especially if they’re racing horses. Horses are put under immense pressure, and are easily frightened in stressful situations. Goats, in their small stature, can be friendly and help in coping situations.
In many racing stables, there are goats living among the horses as part of a coping mechanism. Goats are sometimes used as companions for the horses such as humans use dogs as service animals in order to alleviate stress and provide companionship.
Sometimes it’s not as simple as a yes or no answer, so here is some more information about goats and horses that may be helpful to know when getting a goat for equine friend.
Goats Make for Excellent Companions
The thing about goats is that they just happen to make for excellent companions for horses. Most breeds of goats have a mild, compassionate temperament, which makes them great buddies for horses. Horses can be very panicky creatures, and it is often important to provide horses with companionship in order to have kinder personalities. Especially with foals, they are learning to basically be a horse, and pairing them with a goat may be helpful in bringing out their kinder personality become calm.
Horses often are spooked or become shy when being in an unfamiliar place, which is often for race horses. That is where goats come in handy. It’s often that goats will be found in stables because they are friendly towards horses and provide them with a sense of familiarity. In order to prepare a horse for a race, they need to feel at ease and not be spooked by other horses or people; goats provide this relaxation and give horses the opportunity to calm down in their new environment.
Goats are Often Used as Stress Relievers
Just to reiterate, horses can be easily spooked or panicked. It’s part of their nature to become afraid with unfamiliar surroundings, people, and so forth. They can become sort of vicious, as they tend to strike out and/or bite in order to defend themselves and be left alone. When goats are able to bond with a horse, they are able to alleviate their stress and provide them with comfort. They are commonly referred to as “barn buddies,” as they pair up and provide one another with friendship.
A few notable signs of stress in a horse is when they are pacing or rocking from side to side. They appear to be more tense and are standoffish when approached. Animals aren’t able to compartmentalize and take relaxing medication. A goat is something for a horse to focus on and learn to care for. A small goat size, such as a pygmy, is great for horses. A smaller breed of goat is usually what works best. They rely on one another for happiness as well as the opportunity to relax.
How to Introduce a Goat to a Horse
Sometimes it depends, but the goat may need the horse more than the horse needs the goat. The goat may become reliant on that constant companionship rather than the horse just needing a stress ball for a few minutes. Goats are companion animals, and most need to be in a herd rather than alone. Eventually, the horse will usually develop a friendship over time, and with the realization that they both need each other not only as friends, but also as a way of relaxing.
When goats are in the stables for race horses, they are slowly introduced before they come to lay beside one another in the stall. They are usually able to look and communicate through the door and cracks before sitting together. Some farmers and ranchers choose to put the goat in one stall and the horse in another, then takes out some boards or makes holes for the horse and goat to see and communicate with one another. Once they’ve gotten accustomed to one another, that’s usually when they form a tight bond and are there to lean on one another. It’s practically like having a best friend for people.
It is most always in the horse’s best interest in order to help them relax, as much as possible, so as to create a safe environment for them. Horses that carry a lot of stress are not easy to control or even be around. It can be easier to treat a horse with a companion than it is try and push them into different directions to try and “fix” them. A goat may be the trick that fixes and improves their mood. Whether it is a retired race horse, a newborn foal, or a stable, a goat can be very useful in creating a calmer environment for horses.
Which Breed of Goats are Best
When picking a companion goat for your horse, what you’ll want to look for is a full-size goat breed, as well as one that doesn’t have horns. A goat shouldn’t feel threatened by a horse’s size, and vice versa. Not to mention a goat is a lot cheaper than purchasing another horse for company. It’s unlikely the goat will get mad and want to harm the horse, but goats aren’t entirely aware they have horns, so taking away that variable keeps the horse safe.
A “polled” goat is a goat that is born without horns. Often times, goats will be dehorned when they are born, before the age of three weeks, as it is less painful and they are less likely to grow horns as they grow. It is not as popular to have them dehorned, as it sometimes doesn’t work and can cause discomfort to the goat.
One more thing to consider before purchasing a goat for your horse is that it is most likely better if they are female. The thing about male goats is they have more of a tendency to be aggressive. Even when castrated they can still be less friendly and more impatient; male goats have a tendency to want to be dominant and try to assert that dominance in order to not be messed with. Horses may lash out at their owners or even the goat if they feel threatened. However, breed, as well as age, will play a factor in this as well.
1. Nigerian Goats
This particular breed of goat can be born with or without horns. It’s more of a toss up than it is a genetical tracking chart. Getting a hornless goat is dependent on genetics as well as breeding. They are often used as companionship animals because of their light temperament and ability to bond with other animals. Nigerian dwarfs are also very painful, which provides not only a great source of entertainment, but also a great friend for horses, but also foals.
2. Nubian Goats
Another well-tempered goat is the Anglo-Nubian. Originally from Western African, this breed is often bred for milk. Being a well sized breed of goat, the have a mild temperament that gives off a calming presence. The best thing for a horse to do is to remain calm and relax. If paired from birth, they have a life expectancy of ten to fifteen years, allowing them to bond for life and be a source of constant companionship. Not to say in the least that their floppy ears are also absolutely adorable and will make anyone’s heart melt.
3. Pygmy
Pygmy goats are especially popular because of their adorable size. They are certainly got their name according to their stature. But that’s not the point. Pygmy goats are incredibly friendly, which is an added bonus for horses. Their horns are incredibly short, but can be polled when they are newborns. On the other hand, the likelihood of their horns being dangerous is unlikely. They have been bred as compassion animals because of their kind nature.
4. Pygora
Not only does this breed have a fine coat, they also have a sweet attitude, which has earned them the reputation of being wonderful companion animals, not only for horses but even for humans. Horses are known to rub against their companion goats, and this coat is certainly something to touch. It would seem that they are compact enough for travel, which bids well for racing horses. You might even want to purchase a few to knit together matching sweaters for the two best buds.
5. Kiko
When looking for a nurturing and compassionate goat, it’s usually a female goat that comes to mind. Female goats tend to be sweeter and want to take care of other animals, and that includes horses. Kiko goats have become more popular because of their nurturing personalities. They are independent, yet they care for other animals around them. This breed also has short, more blunt horns, which gives a great scratching post for horses, but are less dangerous as Kiko goats aren’t known to be aggressive.