Making a Goat Cart

I made the harness

and I made the halter,

now it's time for Good Ole Boy and Bug to make the cart.

Our first need was supplies.

Since we are all about reusing, recycling and finding things cheaper,

we went to a local garbage company.

We used to go to church with the owners so Bug was fairly comfortable speaking to him.

She explained what she was building and asked if he had any supplies.

He looked around for wheels and axle material but couldn't find anything suitable.

He showed us the wood pile and told her to take whatever she needed - no charge!

They estimated what they would need for the cart and loaded it up.

Ended up with more than enough!

 Good Ole Boy and Bug spent lots of time discussing the cart.

Ultimately she wants a "Dr. Baker buggy".

But this year she needs to start smaller! lol

So they got started building a seat and cart base.

Good Ole Boy was planning yet for the axle and wheels.

Then one day after walking Chip, Good Ole Boy spotted an old wagon he'd forgotten about sitting out under a pine tree.

We dug it out thinking he might be able to modify the axle for her cart.

Always wanting to help...

It was a PERFECT fit! 

Hooking Chip up for the first time.

Bug paints the cart, using paint we had on hand.

Chip pulling the cart at fair.

Cart cost - $5 

(for bolts to attach shafts to cart)

Now, at fair, the judge and goat superintendent were pretty impressed, 

HOWEVER,

they said the seat needs to be lower. 

In fact, they recommended putting the seat right down on the cart base and putting the foot rest even lower.

By lowering the center of gravity this will make it easier on Chip.

Something to think about if you are going to make a goat cart yourself. :)

Does your goat drive a cart or pull a wagon?

Homestead Barn Hop

COUNTRY GIRL

Fair Week 2011 - part 2

Glad you came back to hear more about our week at fair! 

Yesterday I took you through the prep work and entry times.

Monday was rabbit day.

Rabbit day really lasts ALL. Day. LONG.

This year we didn't even stay til the end! 

Bug - Jr (10) Showmanship.

Sis - Int (13) Showmanship

Bug got first place! 

Way to go! 

Sis got 3rd, BUT she'd only had a week to practice showing a himilayan - her dwarf hotot died the week before fair. :(

Since Bug got 1st, she had to do a "showdown" with all the other Jr. first place winners. 

The winner from this would go on to show in Overall on Friday. 

(the overall kid will show dog, goat, rabbit and poultry)

She didn't win but I'm proud of her anyways.

This is two years in a row she's got first - she'll get there someday.

Himi breed class.

They both got 'A' ribbons.

We decided to leave early since all our rabbits were done.

Going to do chores before we left we discovered this.

See why we never have anything nice?

lol.

Wiz is IN the hay rack! 

No wonder it keeps breaking! 

Sigh.

Tuesday was goat day.

And CloverBud bunnies.

Another long day.

Here's Bug getting ready for goat showmanship.

Hunny showing her bunny.

Bug in Jr. Showmanship.

She got 6th place. 

The judge was great in explaining WHY he placed everyone like he did.

He said she lost many placings because Chip was leaning on her.

Which you can kinda see in the pics how he's leaning right into her.

Huh, here I thought he was doing great since he WALKED and STOOD without moving! lol.

Hunny CloverBud Showmanship 

(Emmett was uncooperative so she used Wiz)

Wether Class with Wiz.

He got 10th place - but wasn't last!

He needs another 30-60 days to finish since he's smaller.

Club Herd, they got first! 

 She was the only one to enter the driving class so she got an 'A'. 
She did a great job and the superintendent and judge were very impressed! 

Cleaning up after the goat show.


Well, that's all I have time to post for today.
I hope to have part 3 up tomorrow.
Check back to hear how the rest of our fair week went.

Homestead Barn Hop


COUNTRY GIRL

How to make a goat halter

So once I accomplished the goat harness,

I decided to try to make a halter for Chip.

Again, these directions came from the 4H harness goat project packet that the extension office provided for me.

(Inside it's marked with the logos from Michigan State University, Ohio State University and Cornell University.)

 

I modified as needed 

~Supplies~

Nylon Webbing - $1.50 

I used a ratchet strap from the dollar store 

 

 Metal Rings (3) - $1.77

Easy to find at our local hardware store

Buckle - $0

Used the one off Emmetts old collar

 

Eyelets - again I temporarily used one of my scrapbooking eyes, but I was able to borrow a tool and eyelets from a friend and hopefully these will be much stronger! :)

Cost - $3.27

Remember that I recycled the buckle and haven't paid anything for the eyelets yet. 

I thought the sizing would be off since Chip has a small head,

so the measurements for around his muzzle I cut in half,

but the straps to go around his head I left the same.

I cut two pieces of 6 inch webbing.

(double for a larger goat as directions called for 12 inch pieces)

On one of them I sewed a ring at each end.

The other piece, I attached one side to a ring, 

and then slipped a loose ring onto it before attaching to the other ring.

Then I cut 11 inches of the webbing,

and sewed one end to one of the rings and the other end I attached the buckle.

Next cut a 22 inch piece of webbing. 

Sew it to the other end ring and at the other end put your eyelets.

 

These two straps go around the back of the head to buckle.

You can see the buckle straps are a bit long on him, but we just looped them around.

(yep, we have scurs to tackle before fair too!)

All that is left really is to attach reins.

 

 

Now Good Ole Boy and Bug need to hustle up on that cart! 

COUNTRY GIRL