How to Drive a Show Goat

Displaying your goat before the judges is your chance to show the effort and training that you put into the animal. Bathing and clipping the animal is only one part of preparing a show goat and making it look its best. Long before the show, train the goat to walk with you and to drive. When a goat drives, it responds to your pushing into its shoulder by pushing back toward you. Driving your goat allows the judges to see its muscle tone. Many shows allow driving, but always check the competition's rules before you go.

Things You'll Need

  • Lead cord
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Instructions

    • 1

      Practice leading the goat around an enclosed pen. Hold the lead cord in your right hand and position the goat on your right side. Teach the goat to walk with its head held up and slightly in front of you so that the shoulders are aligned with your leg. It may take many attempts before the goat becomes accustomed to walking with you on a lead cord.

    • 2

      Walk with the goat going toward its bedding area once it learns to walk on a lead. Stop the goat to teach it to drive.

    • 3

      Move its legs into a "square" position, so that they are directly underneath its body, rather than splayed outward. Grasp the leg above the first joint and move it into position. With practice, your goat can learn to automatically square its legs when you cease walking.

    • 4

      Keep the goat in its position while you move in front of it. Face the goat and brace your left leg against its right shoulder. Position its neck and head up high, stretching up along your leg.

    • 5

      Apply pressure to the goat's shoulder with your leg. It will push back into your leg. Gradually push back into the goat harder to force it to respond with equal pressure.