[Kpalm]

Greetings all. I have a one year old Pygmy whether who is a companion to my 1 1/2 yr old miniature horse. I would like to cover the goat's horns with padding: pool noodles and tennis balls; but I worry about heat. When I grab his horns, they are quite warm and clearly have blood flow. I assume the horns are a natural way for goats to release heat but have found nothing online regarding the subject. I live in Southeast Texas along the Gulf. It is already in the low 90's and will get into the high 90's (sometimes 100's) this Summer. I really want to pad these suckers, but I am scared I will basically be insulating them in very hot, humid conditions. I see a lot of pictures and posts where people have used these household items on goat horns before but am not sure they are located in the same climate as I. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. By the way, the noodles are to protect his human family and prevent the frequent bruising he inflicts; the tennis balls are to protect his companion horse he recently likes to torment. (And little horse has begun biting him because of it. Today I saw him bite his actual horn.) Thank you in advance!

 

[Kpalm]

I have a question: Does your goat have any other goat companions? If not, this would be one reason for his aggression toward your pony. He needs another goat companion that he can safely knock heads with. He's trying to head-butt play with the horse, but horses don't understand this and can't play back in the same way so both animals end up frustrated. I kept a goat as a horse companion for several years and experienced this exact problem.

He is not actually trying to head-butt the horse (he does try with the dog, though, because the dog is more willing to try and play with him). He is going under the horse's head and lifting the horn tips intentionally, usually when I am brushing the horse and the goat wants to be brushed more. But he does it frequently enough that it's not nice! When he head-butts people, he is not using manners. I have started teaching him, "no!" Hopefully that will help with the water bottle trick - he HATES being wet! Also, we do play with him, and my husband will rough-house with him. If the goat can't tell the difference between when we want to play and when we don't, we may have to stop playing with him in that manner!

To answer your question: He does not have a goat companion. My mini horse does not have another horse companion. All my mini-horse-forum people think all horses need other horses and that I should have another one with him instead of a goat... I guess all animals would prefer to be with their own kind, and perhaps I am the selfish one in only wanting one of each species. But, my defense to that logic is that dogs run in packs in nature as well, but you don't usually hear anyone give grief to someone owning single dogs. (Not that I think you're giving grief - I truly appreciate your advice. Sounds like you have been exactly where I am now!) I feel like I give each of my animals plenty of attention, and I think for the space I have, it is healthiest to keep my menagerie of animals small.

Thank so much to everyone for your responses. I have read where people glue pool noodles to goats but really didn't think this was the best option in hot weather. Glad I asked! I'll stick with tennis balls and hope my dog doesn't think they're his toys!!!