Lorihadams-- hi guys...been busy!

[Bubblingbrooks]

Lori, have your daughter sleep with an half an onion on her pillow for a couple nights. Its like magic!

 

[savingdogs]

I'm a total newbie but my does were first fresheners this year. One really thought the idea of being milked was not a good one and utterly refused the whole ordeal. We used three people and just held her in place and MADE her do it until after a couple times, we used two people, then eventually she got used to it and after about two weeks we could do it with just one person. We ONLY feed grain on the stanchion and this made a huge huge difference. They behave nicely and eat quickly because they know they won't get any more anywhere else.

I do leave them alfalfa pellets and hay but they only get their goodies on the stanchion. It was hard for me to do because my girls were thin but it was the best choice. They are so different to milk now than two months ago, I cannot even believe there could be such a dramatic change. Now they YELL that it is milking time if I'm a little late on my schedule and they actually consume more grain overall, which is appropriate I felt.

 

[Farmfresh]

Basically the "hand cuff" type of hobbles are used to allow the horse limited mobility such as being able to freely graze somewhere where there is no fencing and you don't want them to completely run away.

The rest of the hobbles are used for a short time only, rather like savingdogs talked about. Holding the horse (that is sometimes reacting VERY dangerously) still for while until they get over the fear of a new procedure or thing.

For example a horse that has not been handled will often try to kick and strike at you the first time you groom them. It is just a fear reaction. If they are forced to stand still for a minute they realize it actually feels good and then they relax and you remove the hobble.

That is why I was thinking it might work on the rebellious goat on the milk stand.

 

[Denim Deb]

We sometimes use a similar type of thing for a horse (or donkey) that won't stand for the farrier. It makes it so they can't kick, which is quite dangerous. The donkeys are the worst. While a horse can have their hooves chip and break off, especially if the ground is hard, a donkeys won't. And, not all the farriers around here will do donkeys. We had one that would. Then, he died. By the time we found another farrier that would do the donkeys, their hooves were all over grown. We tried to do them ourselves, but didn't have much luck. And it seems like every time we get the donkeys to where their hooves are good again, we lose our farrier. We had one guy that just stopped coming. We'd set up a date and time-and he wouldn't show up, nor would he return our phone calls. Then it's a matter of finding another farrier that we like, is patient w/the horses and does a good job. That's harder to find than you'd expect. :/

 

[Farmfresh]

That's harder to find than you'd expect. :/

I feel the same pain.

 

[Denim Deb]

Glad to hear we're not the only one. Right now, we're once again trying to get donkey feet where they belong. It seems like every time they get straightened out (and it takes a few trims B4 they're right again), we lose our farrier. We might be losing ours again. He's been going to police academy. But, at least if we do lose him, we already have a replacement lined up. He has done some of the horses and donkeys cuz we couldn't get a hold of our normal guy.

 

[lorihadams]

Okay, so here's an update.

Yesterday after talking with Barb extensively for a couple days we made the decision to take Bered back and swap her out for Aliana. She was exhibiting all the signs of depression and her mood was just not improving. She was starting to hollow out on her sides and she was just not happy. I swear if a goat could cry she would be bawling.

I got Aliana yesterday and milked her for the first time last night. She struggled a bit and stepped in the bucket :/ I think that might be cause my husband was trying to manhandle her. I still managed to milk 4 more oz out of her before we were through.

She settled right down for me this morning after I turned the stand around and milked her from the side she is used to being milked from. I got 16 oz out of her this morning milking straight into a quart jar. She ate about half of her feed and I gave her 2 animals crackers.

I think this is just better for everyone involved. I cannot say enough about Barb, she has just been fantastic. She has given me pointers and encouragement and been very understanding through the whole thing. If she had been eating and was just combative I would have plowed through it but her mental state was just not right.

Aliana looks just like Bered but she looks like she swallowed a watermelon She is a great little goat and I think she will work out just fine. Thanks everyone!

 

[ksalvagno]

Goats can be very sensitive with change. Sounds like Bered just wasn't adjusting to being in a new place. Sounds like your new goat isn't having the adjustment problems and will work out well for you.

 

[sekinkead]

It sucks that you had to swap goats but it sounds like it might be better for everyone invlolved. Good luck with the new goat, I hope things continue to improve.

 

[lorihadams]

I went out in between downpours and got some new pics...

Here's Aliana

All three girls

Madelyn feeding the girls some oak leaves

running with the kids in the pasture

Flowers for mom

"Hey, those were mine!"