Can a goat get along with a horse? also, how much hay do they eat a day in the winter? (lbs)

Question

our mare will probably be in a pasture by herself this winter. (there are no other places for her). The pasture has a shelter big enough for her and a goat or two. How well do horses and goats get along and how many pounds of hay would they eat in the winter if no grass is available? I'm not sure what kind of goat we might get, so just an average goat would be a good guess. Also, does a male or female make a friendlier goat?

Thanks!

Answer 1

ok  a female goat is better i think male goats stink they have an odor  goats eat about one square bail a week i have a male and a female and i like the female better  and horses and goats get along great  

Answer 2

A tame goat is a good option for company.  I have used them for a lone horse.  If you get a male, he should be neutered or turned into a wether.  Otherwise a billy has a strong odor and may have nasty habits.  The goat needs to be handled and treated well like any other animal to be friendly.  They need a platform to stand on and play.  Your fencing needs to be solid enough to not trap horns if your goat is not debudded and tall enough to keep them in.   Electric strand inside any fence worked well for me.  I have never had one chew the barn.  They do not have full front teeth like a horse, instead a chewing pallet.

They will eat rougher browse than a horse, keeping a weedy pasture down.  Goats are as small as 15-20lbs and a good dairy goat will weigh 120#.  The boer goat, a meat goat, goes up to 300#.   So your hay is variable.   I have had goats that followed me like a pet dog to the mailbox and never butted and I have had some wicked ones that would clobber you for fun.   Get a youngster or one that has been handled and never play make believe butt heads with it; don't encourage it to nail you!  

Like with horses, watch the amount of grain and rich hay and fresh green grass in the spring.  Otherwise, most breeds are pretty tough.  I like polled saanens (sp) as far as friendly, but many that are handled are nice.  There are breeds that "faint" when they are frightened or stressed.  I'd avoid those.  They would not be good company for your horse.  

You could also try a burro or donkey.  I have those too.  A bit noisier than a goat, but with tons of personality and they are fun to teach to pull a cart.  You need a jenny, because a jack will run your mare around.  They are available at lots of auctions and rescues.  They are pretty easy keepers and just need the same shots as a horse and feet trimmed and wormed.  

Answer 3

normal they are always fine and do not care about the horse

but sometimes they dont get along just need to make sure they do.

just need to make sure they do get a long and that hte pasture they can not get out of.

and how much they eat depends on the bed and size i got 2 full grown Nubian's and a sheep who eat a fake each meal and are all good

Answer 4

sheep would be better since goats are climbers and can climb most fences...and will chew on the barn.

both sheep and goats need proper fences..

http://www.scienceray.com/Biology/Zoolog...

or you could get a donkey!

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Unusual-Pet...

I have horses, sheep, 1 donkey, and llama

there are many different breeds of goats, small to big so hay and oat amount will vary, also you didnt say how cold it gets in winter where you are..

male goats can be mean.