WHAT YOU NEED TO BE A GOAT PACKER

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE A GOAT PACKER

TAKEN FROM THE PACKGOAT MANUAL

· Goat

· Collar & Lead for the goat; most areas require the pack animal to be on a lead

· Pack for the goat – either a soft pack for day hikes or a cross buck for overnight

· Fanny pack for you – to carry personal items like camera, lip balm, trail snack, etc.

· The TEN essentials

· Knife to be carried on your belt

· First aid kit –one for you and for your goat

· Hiking boots-lightweight & flexible

· Hiking socks – lightweight line & a heavy sock, ragg wool is a good choice.

· Lunch & Snacks

· Change of clothing – in case you were to get wet

· Rain gear or poncho

· Oats & treats for your goat.

THE TEN ESSENTIALS –TAKEN FROM THE PACKGOAT MANUAL

· Water bottle, with water

· Emergency blanket w/ nylon cord

· Emergency snacks

· Sunglasses

· Whistle & Signal Mirror

· Fire starter – homemade or chemical fuel, waterproof matches or lighter

· Toilet paper & trowel

· Sunscreen & insect repellent

· Flashlight with extra bulb and batteries

· Map & compass one for the area you are hiking in

WHAT TO PACK FOR A DAY HIKE – TAKEN FOR THE PACK GOAT MANUAL

· Plenty of food

· Lead ropes

· Rain Gear – just in case

· First Aid kit for humans

· Simple first aid kit for goats

· Extra clothing for changes in weather

· Grain for persuasion

· Water for yourself

· Sunglasses

· SunScreen

· Hat

· Trail guide or maps, if you are going to an unfamiliar area

· Field guides if you are going to an unfamiliar area

· Field guides if you are interested in plants and animals

· Camera

PACK GOAT FITTING AND SHOWING SCORECARD-

TAKEN FROM THE PACKGOAT MANUAL

Points Sub Total

1. APPEARANCE OF ANIMAL

Condition and thriftiness – showing normal growth.

Neither too fat or too thin 10

Hair – Clean and properly groomed 5

Hoofs – trimmed and shaped to enable animal to walk

and stand naturally 5

Cleanliness – clean body from stains as much as possible

With special attention to clean legs, feet, tail area, nose and ears 5

2. APPEARANCE OF EXHIBITOR

Clothes and person – neat and clean, wearing appropriate

Hiking clothes and shoes for weather 10

3. SHOWING THE ANIMAL IN THE RING

Leading – enter, leading the animal at a normal walk around the

ring in a clockwise direction, holding the lead or collar with the

right hand. Goat should lead readily and respond quickly. When

judge changes placing, lead the animal forward out of line ,down

or up to the placed directed then back through the line, finally

making a U-turn to get into position. You should work with your

pack goat using the lead as you would on a trail, but you may hold

the collar if necessary for certain maneuvers. Exhibitors will be

requested to exchange animals and perform maneuvers to show

ability to handle another person’s goat. Walk at a normal pace, not

allowing the goat to get ahead or out of control. Always walk on the

side away from the judge. 15

Pose – the goat with front and rear feet squarely beneath it. Do

not crowd other exhibitors. When the judge is observing the goat,

if it moves out of position, replace it as quickly and inconspicuously

as soon as possible. 5

Attitude - the goat should be calm and respond quickly to your

requests for maneuvers. Poise, alertness and courteous attitude

of the exhibitor are desired at all times in the show ring, until the

entire class has been placed. 15

4. QUESTIONS

The exhibitor will be asked five questions concerning pack

goats and hiking. 15

Points Sub Total

5. PACK GOAT TRAIL TEST

Appropriately fitted goat pack – containing 10% weight

Less for under 1 yr of age, and 10 – 20% weight for 1 to

2 yrs of age, and 30 – 40% weight for over 2 yrs of age.

Lead equipment should consist of working collar or halter.

The ten essentials of hiking will be carried on the person

in a fanny pack, back pack or vest. The trail shall

consist of five obstacles. 15

100

TOTAL POINTS FOR FITTING AND SHOWING

(100-90 BLUE; 89-90 RED; 79-70 WHITE)

PACK GOAT FITTING AND SHOWING SCORE CARD

PRESENTED AT THE CAPRINE OUTING, SOLON, NY 9/18-20/98.

1. APPEARANCE OF ANIMAL

Condition and Thriftiness – showing normal growth –neither too fat nor too thin

Hair clean and well groomed; no clipping is necessary for pack goats

Hooves trimmed and shaped to enable animal to walk and stand naturally

Cleanliness – clean body from stains as much as possible, with special attention to clean legs, feet, tail area,

nose and ears

TOTAL = 30 POINTS

2. APPEARANCE OF EXHIBITOR

Clothes and person neat and clean wearing appropriate hiking clothes (including foot protection) for the weather

TOTAL = 10 POINTS

3. SHOWING ANIMAL IN RING

Leading – enter, leading the animal at a normal walk around the ring in a clockwise direction, walk on the left side.

Goat should lead readily and respond quickly to commands

Lead equipment to consist of working collar and lead and correctly fitted pack

Always walk on the side away from the judge

Walk at a normal pace not allowing the goat to get ahead of you or out of control

Pose animal with front and rear feet squarely beneath it. Do not crowd other exhibitors.

When judge changes placing, lead the animal forward out of line, down or up to the place directed then back through the line, finally making a U-turn to get into position. You should walk with your pack goat using the lead as you would on a trail, but you may hold the collar if necessary for certain maneuvers.

When the judge is observing the animal, if it moves out of position, replace it as quickly and inconspicuously as possible.

The goat is to be calm and respond quickly for your request for maneuvers.

The goat pack will be checked for secureness; and appropriate fit by the judge.

Exhibitors will be requested to exchange animals and perform maneuvers to show ability to handle another person’s goat.

Exhibitors specifics: alertness to the judge and your surroundings and other goats, as well as courteous attitude.

TOTAL = 20 POINTS

4. QUESTIONS:

The exhibitor will be asked 5 questions concerning pack goats and hiking.

TOTAL = 15 POINTS

5. PACK GOAT TRAIL TEST

Appropriately fitted goat pack containing 10% weight for under 1year of age goats and 20% (not greater than 25%) of weight for over 1 year of age goats. The 10 essentials of hiking/backpacking will be carried on the person in a fanny pack, back pack or vest.

Trail test will be 5 stations on a simulated trail.

TOTAL POINTS = 25 POINTS

TOTAL POINTS FOR FITTING AND SHOWING = 100

PACK GOAT TYPE SPECIFICATIONS

POINTS SUBTOTAL

1. STRUCUTURAL CORRECTNESS

Structural correctness

· General Body – includes a wide chest and brisket:

Heart girth should not tend to increase greatly to the

Barrel: length of body is in proportion to height. 11

· Legs – Front cannon bone and foreleg should be

Proportionate to the thickness of the body; the rear

Legs should have angularity, not post legged,

hockiness is a plus; strong pasterns perpendicular

to the ground, strong feed with tight toes; elbows do

not wing out when on the move; string,easy and

smooth gait with no lameness or stiffness. 21

· Back – Back vertebra parallel to the ground with

Open withers, strong chine and loin. 9

2. MUSCULARITY

Includes stocky body – “working” goat in appearance,

not dairy type. Thigh/gaskin muscles well defined.

Shoulders and neck show good muscle tone. 30

3. ATTITUDE

The pack goat shall show a “pet quality” attitude to

Include friendliness and willing to work. 20

4. COORDINATION

Test will be an obstacle selected for the age of the goat

To test the ability of the goat to negotiate the obstacle 10

100

TOTAL POINTS FOR TYPE 100