Hello all! Kinder Breeder Here

[MellonFriend]

Hello and welcome! I remember you well from TheGoatSpot! (I was Damfino, but I don't hang out there any more.)

Anyway, it sounds like you've got a great little project started. Kinders are lovely little goats and quite sturdy even though they're small. The most suitable body type is one that is longer-legged and not paunchy. Keeping weight off your wether will probably be your biggest challenge for that breed. But if you walk him regularly and keep him fet he should do fine. Since he's smaller you'll have a harder time finding a pack saddle that fits, but some makers do build saddles for small goats. You may also be able to get away with using a pack built for dogs if it's designed properly with spinal relief and enough shoulder room. Kinders are strong for their size, but endurance might be a problem if you're into long hikes. You might also look into training your wether to pull a wagon or cart. Cart goats don't usually require quite so much endurance as packgoats since you're usually not going all day, but strength is a huge asset. It's super fun to drive a goat in a parade or take them to birthday parties and community events where you can give goat cart rides to kids!

Feel free to ask any questions you have. This is a pretty quiet forum these days, but there are a few folks still hanging around.

Hey Damfino, now Nanno!  I thought that was you!  I've missed you over on TGS.  I'll have to direct people over there who have pack goat questions to over here.  There's no one over there who knows anything about pack goats.  

My little guy is looking like he'll be on the leggier side, so that's a plus.  We don't ever do any long hikes anyway, so he could probably keep up just fine.  We wouldn't need him to carry much weight either, just his company would be fun enough.    

Regulations would be a big question for me.  Where would I go to find that kind of thing out?  I came across that in NC I would need a special permit to take goats in state parks, but what about outside of parks?  If it's a trail that allows dogs, would goats likely be allowed?

My second question is we have a lot of rhododendrons on many of the trails we walk on.  Do pack goats tend to browse as they are hiking or... not so much?  

Third question is can he be a single pack goat?  Will he be uncomfortable hiking with us without another goat?  We are a pretty large human group (never hiking with less than six) if that makes a difference.