Chat
09-23-2016, 08:07 AM
I was very impressed with our young packgoats yesterday. Training them to drive has been one of the best things we could have done for improving their trail manners. Most of the trail was on wide open tundra which of course is a standing invitation to goats who want to pass to the front. We had to remind the boys to stay back a few times, but for the most part they stayed right where they belonged. When they did pass, we told them "Whoa!" and they nearly always stopped and waited while we got ahead of them again. The only time they didn't wait was when Sputnik got in front. Sputnik is the caboose and every so often he gets fed up with always tagging at the back. Without warning he'll suddenly bolt past everyone at top speed and get way out in front. "Whoa" commands pass unnoticed into one gleefully flapping ear and out the other. Finn might stay nicely behind me for a short while, but after a minute or two he can't bear it any more and he goes chasing after Sputnik. The funny thing is that once Sputnik is in the lead, he refuses to relinquish it, so he speeds up every time Finn tries to get ahead of him. Following the goats isn't bad when Sputnik is in front because there isn't the usual stop-and-go traffic jam. Finn won't stop as long as Sputnik is ahead, and Sputnik won't stop because Finn will try to pass him. But at some point the boys encounter a weed that is just too tasty to pass up and then we can reorganize.
We had to do something different when we came down the steep, rocky part of the trail. I didn't want the goats behind us for fear they would dislodge large stones on our heads. It was a bit tricky keeping them out in front because Finn especially was a little nervous about scrambling down that steep, technical spot with a pack on his back. He wanted me to lead the way and kept stopping and looking back at me. But I'd say "Walk on, Finn!" and more often than not he would keep going a few more steps. I had to slap him on the behind a few times as I gave the "Walk on" command, and every so often I had to give him a little shove to drive home the point, but we had no real difficulties. It helped tremendously that he knew exactly what I meant even if he wasn't always sure he wanted to do it. I think he'll be much more confident next time he faces a "technical" climb with a packsaddle.
Not only was it fun to see such progress in our boys' trail manners, it was also fun to work on some new ones such as teaching them not to cut across switchbacks. Our trails at home have enough trees that the goats are less tempted to make shortcuts. This time we had several opportunities to correct them when they would cut corners. I think our fellas will be acting like seasoned packers in no time.
We had to do something different when we came down the steep, rocky part of the trail. I didn't want the goats behind us for fear they would dislodge large stones on our heads. It was a bit tricky keeping them out in front because Finn especially was a little nervous about scrambling down that steep, technical spot with a pack on his back. He wanted me to lead the way and kept stopping and looking back at me. But I'd say "Walk on, Finn!" and more often than not he would keep going a few more steps. I had to slap him on the behind a few times as I gave the "Walk on" command, and every so often I had to give him a little shove to drive home the point, but we had no real difficulties. It helped tremendously that he knew exactly what I meant even if he wasn't always sure he wanted to do it. I think he'll be much more confident next time he faces a "technical" climb with a packsaddle.
Not only was it fun to see such progress in our boys' trail manners, it was also fun to work on some new ones such as teaching them not to cut across switchbacks. Our trails at home have enough trees that the goats are less tempted to make shortcuts. This time we had several opportunities to correct them when they would cut corners. I think our fellas will be acting like seasoned packers in no time.