Donkeys can be a nightmare - but what about goats??

[David]

No, really ... there is a whole romantic thing about going on Camino with a donkey but they are stubborn, prone to illnesses, expensive, and often refuse to go where you want to go, and they are so big and heavy they win every contest ..

but what about a goat?? Goats are intelligent, funny, friendly (friendly ones are), and as they are much smaller it is easier for the human to win the "which way and when" contest - every time (almost).

Goats pulling trailers and small wagons goes back a long long way .... but one could use a modern bike trailer hitched up to carry all your gear (and a bag of carrots) why, my S-Cargo trailer would be perfect! or buy a goat load saddle (yes, they exist) and put panniers onto the goat .... I think this would be a tenting Camino ... as you might come across the occasional problem trying to sneak a goat into a refugio ...

but - Goats!! I had a goat once (well, we as a family did when the children were young - along with ponies, dogs, cats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and various small creatures indoors) and it was quite charming - even when for a joke it would butt you whilst you were bending over gardening it didn't hurt at all - so, here some pics ...!











Come onnnn - tell me your first thought wasn't "but this is brilliant - I want a goat!"

(not real, just a bit of winter fun)

 

[dougfitz]

Come onnnn - tell me your first thought wasn't "but this is brilliant - I want a goat!"

It wasn't, but I can see the merits of this approach.

My experience with goats as a child was with a couple kept by an aunt and uncle for milking, which did put them on the eccentric end of the spectrum. Mind you, my parents kept a house cow until a couple of us developed whole milk allergies, so we might have been quick to judge in our youth.

 

[David]

It wasn't, but I can see the merits of this approach.

but can't quite see me taking the train down to the ferry with one and then strolling onto the ship somehow, nor explaining to Spanish border control either

 

[CAJohn]

A goat is likely to put everyone else to shame climbing any hill or mountain. But you would be faced with the difficulty of trying to bring an English goat into Spain vs finding a suitable Spanish goat on relatively short notice. I'm thinking that there are more than a few variables to this "great" plan.

Oh, and like someone else, my first thought was not to go out and get a goat. My 15 lb dog keeps me busy enough.

 

[dougfitz]

but can't quite see me taking the train down to the ferry with one and then strolling onto the ship somehow, nor explaining to Spanish border control either

What might be needed here is a little cart that transforms into a transport container for said goat when it is on the train or ferry. I can see you putting your mind to that

 

[David]

A goat is likely to put everyone else to shame climbing any hill or mountain. But you would be faced with the difficulty of trying to bring an English goat into Spain vs finding a suitable Spanish goat on relatively short notice. I'm thinking that there are more than a few variables to this "great" plan.

Oh, and like someone else, my first thought was not to go out and get a goat. My 15 lb dog keeps me busy enough.

Sorted!!

 

[Pilgrim9]

Interesting idea.

Practicalities:

Do goats in general lead well, or are they easily trained to do so?

Which breed & gender would be best?

Fodder?

Night-time "parking"?

Liability insurance?

Goat recipes? (In case of irreconcilable differences )

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

I love your tongue-in-cheek humor
I also love goats, never had one, never had one as a friend (or enemy...though a certain goose comes to mind), but they are hands down one of the most comically photogenic animal on the planet!
I for one am in favor of you renting a goat from a small farm along the way...and allowing me to capture those sure to be priceless moments.
Have a happy day!

 

[C clearly]

tell me your first thought wasn't "but this is brilliant - I want a goat!"

My first thought was that you should definitely do it, and we could arrange for a videographer to accompany you!

 

[Arniece2022]

but can't quite see me taking the train down to the ferry with one and then strolling onto the ship somehow, nor explaining to Spanish border control either

I feel a business idea coming on... "Camino Rent-A-Goat"...

 

[AlpacaArte]

My first thought was ‘goats are a monumental pain in the a**e’! I speak from experience.

 

[Undermanager]

You could buy one at the start in Spain, do the Camino, then celebrate with the goat as Guest of Honour at a BBQ......

 

[LewSher]

Well, I hadn't thought about goats before, but I can tell you they would be preferable to the horses that use the same paths we travel upon. How many times have we had to step around or slip on the "leavings" the horses deposited. It kind of takes your mind away from enjoying companionship, vistas, and inner thoughts while avoiding their messes. Just a thought...

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

A goat is likely to put everyone else to shame climbing any hill or mountain. But you would be faced with the difficulty of trying to bring an English goat into Spain vs finding a suitable Spanish goat on relatively short notice. I'm thinking that there are more than a few variables to this "great" plan.

Oh, and like someone else, my first thought was not to go out and get a goat. My 15 lb dog keeps me busy enough.

Good reason to start a, "Goat Exchange Program," AND, "Goat Rental."

 

[Bumpa]

No, really ... there is a whole romantic thing about going on Camino with a donkey but they are stubborn, prone to illnesses, expensive, and often refuse to go where you want to go, and they are so big and heavy they win every contest ..

but what about a goat?? Goats are intelligent, funny, friendly (friendly ones are), and as they are much smaller it is easier for the human to win the "which way and when" contest - every time (almost).

Goats pulling trailers and small wagons goes back a long long way .... but one could use a modern bike trailer hitched up to carry all your gear (and a bag of carrots) why, my S-Cargo trailer would be perfect! or buy a goat load saddle (yes, they exist) and put panniers onto the goat .... I think this would be a tenting Camino ... as you might come across the occasional problem trying to sneak a goat into a refugio ...

but - Goats!! I had a goat once (well, we as a family did when the children were young - along with ponies, dogs, cats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and various small creatures indoors) and it was quite charming - even when for a joke it would butt you whilst you were bending over gardening it didn't hurt at all - so, here some pics ...!

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Come onnnn - tell me your first thought wasn't "but this is brilliant - I want a goat!"

(not real, just a bit of winter fun)

I met a couple on the Appalachian Trail with a goat with its own set of panniers. It carried the woman's trail needs as she had an affliction which precluded her carrying her own pack. She said it made the difference between her walking the trail or staying home. Kind of her own "Jacotrans" service

 

[Lynne (USA/Crete Greece)]

We have plenty of goats in Crete! Usually friendly and can be ‘trained’. On my daily walking routes I come across them (and sheep) and stop to have a chat — how are you, beautiful day!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

My first thought was ‘goats are a monumental pain in the a**e’! I speak from experience.

And donkeys are known as true arses.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

These goats were extremely curious when I walked by them in November. They were either lonely or hoping for a handout.

 

[Arniece2022]

We have plenty of goats in Crete! Usually friendly and can be ‘trained’. On my daily walking routes I come across them (and sheep) and stop to have a chat — how are you, beautiful day!

Where I live in Mexico, neighbors all around us have goats. They tie them out front to eat the grass in the street. At night we sit out back listening to all the "Ba-a-a-a's". Some nights we Baaa-a-a-a back at them and giggle... Absolutely Love goats

 

[chinacat]

What might be needed here is a little cart that transforms into a transport container for said goat when it is on the train or ferry. I can see you putting your mind to that

If David could just work it to provide a shelter at night too, I think he’d have it sorted

 

[David]

I think I need a few acres near St Jean or Pamplona, nice caravan ... start training goats ...

Until then - Goat in a tent!!

 

[chinacat]

And it’s not eating any of it!!

 

[AlpacaArte]

And it’s not eating any of it!!

Give it chance ;-)

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

But...but...who will think of the Donkeys?

 

[AlpacaArte]

How about a treking llama? A llama can carry your load without the need for a trailer. Or two llamas and you sit in the trailer

 

[Tony Lenton]

I love your tongue-in-cheek humor
I also love goats, never had one, never had one as a friend (or enemy...though a certain goose comes to mind), but they are hands down one of the most comically photogenic animal on the planet!
I for one am in favor of you renting a goat from a small farm along the way...and allowing me to capture those sure to be priceless moments.
Have a happy day!

I’ve eaten some great goat in Spain. Leg of goat with padron peppers as an example. I actually have a Spanish rescue dog from Andalucia who spent her first 3 years as a goat herder. She has a number of foibles which may result from close acquaintance with goats. She will not walk anywhere she doesn’t want to and will just “plonk” if forced. She will not deviate from a recognised path and when wallking in our local park she will literally follow the white line marking out the football pitch. She refuses to walk a step if the lead is tight. I attach a video of her walking the white line - toeing the line?

 

[Tony Lenton]

Here is the video.

 

[Aloha From Kauai]

I’ve eaten some great goat in Spain. Leg of goat with padron peppers as an example. I actually have a Spanish rescue dog from Andalucia who spent her first 3 years as a goat herder. She has a number of foibles which may result from close acquaintance with goats. She will not walk anywhere she doesn’t want to and will just “plonk” if forced. She will not deviate from a recognised path and when wallking in our local park she will literally follow the white line marking out the football pitch. She refuses to walk a step if the lead is tight. I attach a video of her walking the white line - toeing the line

Lol
I tried goat eons ago but decided I really like my goats alive. Your dog is a sweetheart and quirkly delightful (and certainly is displaying goat-ish behavior).

 

[cbacino]

No, really ... there is a whole romantic thing about going on Camino with a donkey but they are stubborn, prone to illnesses, expensive, and often refuse to go where you want to go, and they are so big and heavy they win every contest ..

but what about a goat?? Goats are intelligent, funny, friendly (friendly ones are), and as they are much smaller it is easier for the human to win the "which way and when" contest - every time (almost).

Goats pulling trailers and small wagons goes back a long long way .... but one could use a modern bike trailer hitched up to carry all your gear (and a bag of carrots) why, my S-Cargo trailer would be perfect! or buy a goat load saddle (yes, they exist) and put panniers onto the goat .... I think this would be a tenting Camino ... as you might come across the occasional problem trying to sneak a goat into a refugio ...

but - Goats!! I had a goat once (well, we as a family did when the children were young - along with ponies, dogs, cats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, and various small creatures indoors) and it was quite charming - even when for a joke it would butt you whilst you were bending over gardening it didn't hurt at all - so, here some pics ...!

View attachment 116944

View attachment 116945

View attachment 116946

View attachment 116947

View attachment 116949

Come onnnn - tell me your first thought wasn't "but this is brilliant - I want a goat!"

(not real, just a bit of winter fun)

No goats. No donkeys.

 

[Hiawatha]

So a Spanish goat cart would be a ' Cabrio let ' ?

 

[Tony Lenton]

Lol
I tried goat eons ago but decided I really like my goats alive. Your dog is a sweetheart and quirkly delightful (and certainly is displaying goat-ish behavior).

Thanks. She is a beautiful, quirky creature. Her single eye gives off a piratical impression.

 

[JennyH94]

I love your tongue-in-cheek humor
I also love goats, never had one, never had one as a friend (or enemy...though a certain goose comes to mind), but they are hands down one of the most comically photogenic animal on the planet!
I for one am in favor of you renting a goat from a small farm along the way...and allowing me to capture those sure to be priceless moments.
Have a happy day!

Hi @Aloha From Kauai - David has a camino story involving a goose which will have you chortling for the whole day! Perhaps he’ll share it here ...

Cheers from Oz -
Jenny