I’ve been dreaming a little big dream about training a harness/draft goat to help around my future homestead (another bigger dream in the works). I want to be able to move rocks, tote dirt and compost around and shift bundles of crops around without destroying my back or knees.

Why goats, you ask? Because horses are just too darn big and easy to hurt. Goats are low to the ground, easier to handle and are sturdy as all get out. Plus they eat all sorts of ruffage which means that you don’t need to buy much feed and you can house them in something much more reasonable than a huge barn or stall setup. Plus you can get milk and… if you’re of such a persuasion, meat out of the deal too.

The type of goat? Boers! They’re super sturdy, docile and pretty easy on the eyes (if I do say so myself). Just look at that photo! That is one handsome goatie. It’s like a giant Jack Russell.

And I found out that Hoegger Supply sells a goat powered garden cultivator and a variety of wagons and carts built for goaties. Plus, the internet is a wonderful gold mine of information on training draft or “harness” goats.