Tuesday, April 4, 2017

a goatherd's toolkit

Planning and prep work are essential components of the Goatherd's Toolkit.

For example: someday you may need to persuade a goat to stand still and keep it's foot in water for 20 minutes.

Twenty minutes is exactly 19 minutes 59 seconds longer than your typical goat wants to have a wet foot.


Therefore it's helpful to have a goat who, like Sambucus here, is already accustomed to being handled every single day, rain or shine. And who has every reason to believe that putting on a collar and tie will result in a bucket of delicious grub appearing like magic.


Preparation in this case also includes having everything you need within reach before putting the goat's foot in the bucket, because after that moment, you won't be moving for 20 minutes either. One hand will be on or very near the goat, the entire time, ready for action or distraction. Goats have a way of moving that can best be described as "explosive." Being alert can make the difference between a successful treatment for a sore hoof or an upset, dripping goat and an equally upset and even more dripping goatherd.


Of course, in addition to all this planning and prep, flexibility also has value. For example, when spontaneous expert assistance is offered from a courteous distance...




...it's invaluable.
Thank you, Betula.
~~~~~

11 comments:

  1. Oh dear - someone has a sore foot? That's not good. Hopefully there will be only one foot in pail treatment necessary, otherwise could get rather tedious for both of you.

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    1. I hope so, too. Seeing improvement, and checking every day. Fingers crossed!

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  2. Wow, that's a lot of precision prepping. I hope the hoof is better soon. Funny post though

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    1. Thanks - I'll pass along your thoughts to Bui :)

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  3. I like your assortment of distractions for both of you. I'll bet the others were lining up for their treats/ment by the end of it!

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    1. I swear the goats can all hear a peanut cracking from across the paddock!

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  4. Oh, goodness. I'd much rather deal with guinea pig feet (although getting them to sit still for 20 minutes would be really tough, too). Explosive - I can just imagine. They've got some weight behind them, too! I hope the hoof is better soon.

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    1. I laughed when I read your blog last night, Sally - the line between guinea pig and goat becomes more nebulous by the day!

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  5. Wow, that must be hard! R has quite a history of nail issues, and infections getting way up in the nail bed. So we have to soak his paw in epsom salts... and it requires similar planning.

    I sure hope that his hoof feels better soon, for both his sake and yours!

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    1. Soaking dog feet...been there, too. And horses, come to think of it. And I saw one of my hens limping yesterday...uh-oh.
      I do Epsom Salts soaks for sprains or strains, but for a puncture or possible infection (or to head one off, I hope, in this case), I use something like this weak iodine solution followed by a spray-on antiseptic. Anything gentle that works!

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  6. "Goats have a way of moving that can best be described as 'explosive'." LOL - exactly! I had to soak a goat foot once and it was no fun!

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