Introducing saddle

[Sanhestar]

this is strange behaviour for a goat, normally they take one look at a saddle and accept it. But I have seen this reaction - not that strong - in the more shy types.

Take it slow. Put the saddle on the back, give a treat, take the saddle down. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Put the saddle on, count to five, give a treat, take it down. Count to ten, etc.

close the belly strap, give a treat, take the saddle off. Count to five, ten, etc.

Add the front and back girth, same procedure. If the back girth bothers him, teach him to accept you touching his hind legs with your hands or a brush first. Touching the hind section is something many wethers seem to hate, for me it looks like they feel it invades their privacy. Also remember that a predator would try to grab them from behind.

Whenever he starts to show signs of stress: eyes wide, ears stiffer, breathing shallow, go back a step. You might even have to teach him to accept that you lift the saddle up next to him and/or bending low to close the belly strap. Just look at how many steps it takes to put a saddle on and close the girths and you have an idea what you might have to teach in tiny steps.

When he is comfortable with the saddle on his back, ask for ONE step forward. Treat. Next step, treat. Make sure that you also release pressure on the lead rope. Then ask for two steps, three, etc.

If you suspect that there is pain involved, give him a some rest, check the area you suspect for pain response with your hands.