As a goat owner, you need to own a halter. Some people believe that goat halters are only necessary for showing your goats, but that is not their only use. Whether you show your goats or not, it’s important to train them to walk on a lead.
In this article, we’ll talk about the different kinds of halters, how to train your goats with a halter, product reviews, and some common questions people ask about halters.
Contents
Common Uses of a Goat Halter
Goat halters are commonly used for showing goats, but there are other uses of halters:
- For dairy goats, you may need a halter to keep them contained while milking them, especially for goats that aren’t used to being milked.
- They also come in handy when you need to trim your goats’ hooves. A halter may not be required if the goat is gentle, but you will need a halter for more stubborn goats.
- Sometimes, you may need to move your goats. In this case, you might need a halter to lead them.
How to Use a Goat Halter
If you want to train your livestock with a halter, it is advised that you start very early, and a good time would be before the kid is weaned. It can be difficult and risky to halter train an older goat; you may end up harming the animal and yourself.
Before halter training your goat, let it smell the halter and then wear it on its neck without attaching any leads. It would be best if you did this so that the goat can become familiar with the halter. Repeat this process for a few days.
Once you’re sure that the goat is accustomed to the halter, attach the lead, tie it off to a post or fence, and walk away. Your goat may try to fight the lead, but do not be tempted to unfasten it until the kid is standing still again. Once you notice that the animal is calm, reward it with some grains. Continue this part of the training until the goat stays calm when it’s tied.
After the goat has successfully passed this stage, you can then take the lead of the halter and try to walk it. Do not try to pull the goat as it will put up some resistance. Instead, walk beside it and lead it to wherever it wants to go, making sure you reward it with some grains as it walks calmly with you. You can start with shorter walks then increase the distance after some days.
How to Train Stubborn Goats
No matter how sweet these creatures are, goats can be very stubborn creatures, and sometimes it might be challenging to train them. But the good news is even the most stubborn goats can be trained, so long as you employ the correct tactics.
You need collars to train stubborn goats. First, start by getting the goats to sniff the collars before placing them around their necks. You can reward the goats after putting on the collars by giving them some grains or maybe apples.
After repeating that step for a few days, try to walk the goat. Pull the lead gently, and if it follows, give it a reward. Continue this cycle – walking and rewarding – for a while. A goat will show signs of resistance by digging its hooves into the ground and not moving. When this happens, face forward and pull on the lead. Apply just enough force to make the animal follow you. Once it moves, you can release the tension but keep walking. Repeat the process as often as the animal puts up resistance.
For goats that try to jump away from you or pull on the lead, conduct their walking lessons by a fence. Once the goat starts acting up, tie the lead to the fence and move away from the kid until it calms down. Then, you can untie the lead and continue walking the goat.
Tying the goat to the fence whenever it acts stubborn is a way of showing it that stubbornness won’t earn it its freedom. That way, it understands that it needs to cooperate. However, no matter what you do, never resort to physical punishment when training your goat. Doing this will only instill unnecessary fear in the animal, which will not help get rid of its stubborn behavior.
Best Goat Halters Reviews
Weaver Leather Livestock Sheep & Goat Training Halter
The Weaver Leather Training Halter is a great training tool for your goats. It is tougher than other regular goat halters. The good thing about this halter is that it comes in different sizes (small, medium, and large), so it can be used on different goats of various sizes. However, the small size is perfect for most standard goats.
This particular halter is made with a flexible yet sturdy material that makes it ideal for goats that may want to resist a halter. It features D-rings on both sides and at the top of the noseband so it can be attached to a lead or other attachment points.
Due to the nickel-plated hardware feature of the Weaver Leather halter, it is extra durable and will serve its purpose for a long time. Its rugged and comfortable structure makes it a great training tool for teaching your goats proper head positioning. All you have to do is tie them in a stationary position.
Pros
- The halter’s material is comfortable, so you don’t have to worry about your goat experiencing any discomfort.
- The Weaver Leather halter is durable and made with high-quality material.
- The halter is strong and rugged, so you can use it to control difficult or powerful goats.
- You can attach leads to the front or sides.
Cons
- Goat owners tend to have issues with the size of the halter.
- The halter is difficult to adjust around the mouth.
Brahma Webb Goat Halter
If you want to train your goat and train it well, you should consider the Weaver Leather Brahma Webb Goat Halter. With this halter, you have greater control of your goat and can help it walk with its head up. The halter features a solid chain lead which you can attach to a gate or pen if you want to keep your goat stationary. The brown color of the leather blends well with the goat’s skin color.
Pros
• The Weaver Leather Brahma Goat Halter is weather-resistant and easy to clean.
• It helps the goat walk with its head up.
Cons
• The size of this halter is small and will fit only baby goats or tiny goats.
BMB Adjustable Halter
The BMB Adjustable Halter is a good option for goats and sheep. As the name implies, the halter is adjustable from small to medium-sized and can be used on goats between 800 and 1100 lbs. Other features that make this halter highly recommended are the 1″ nylon doubled layer construction and brass-plated hardware. With these features, we can say that this halter is one of the most durable halters on the market.
Pros
• The Weaver Leather Brahma Goat Halter is weather-resistant and easy to clean.
• It helps the goat walk with its head up.
Cons
• The size of this halter is small and will fit only baby goats or tiny goats.
Weaver Livestock Poly Rope Sheep Halter
The Weaver Leather brand is a special brand that makes the best halters for your livestock, and this poly rope halter is one of their greatest creations. The Weaver Poly Rope Sheep Halter is a soft braid rope that is a must-have on your farm. This halter is superior to other collars and leashes because your goat will not choke itself when it puts up resistance. The halter is fully adjustable and can be used on sheep and goats of different sizes.
Pros
- BMB Adjustable Halter comes in attractive colors.
- The high-quality construction makes it durable.
Cons
- Although the halter is adjustable, it may not fit more miniature goats.
Stierwalt Breaking Halter
The special features of the Stierwalt Breaking Halter make it highly recommended for your goat. Its unique hardware allows for smoother pull-and-release action, so your goat doesn’t run at risk of having swollen jaws. The material of the halter also prevents it from slipping off your animal.
If you keep your goats for showing, you should consider using this halter because the easy slide action and pressure points of the Stierwalt Breaking Halter simulates the performance of a show halter, so your goats can get accustomed to how a show halter feels.
Pros
- It is less expensive than other halters.
- The halter is very easy to put on and take off; it is uncomplicated.
- The Weaver Poly Rope Halter is one-size-fits-all.
Cons
- The attached lead is short and does not have a knot or loop to hold on to, so your goat may jerk it out of your hand.
- The material is rough and coarse and may not be comfortable for your goat.
Magic Show Halter
The magic show halter is one of the most fashionable halter brands on the market. The black color of the leather looks great on goats with black or black white faces and gives your animal a professional look during a showing. The halter features smooth edges, a rounded noseband and cheek pieces, and strong corner stays.
Pros
- The halter is made of quality leather.
- The breaking halter is strong and can be used to train or lead difficult animals.
Cons
- The leather is tough and may be difficult to handle
- More expensive than other options
Picking a Goat Halter: What to Look out for
There are different halters on the market, so choosing the best halter for your goat can be a daunting take. However, once you know what to look out for, you will make the right decision. These are some of the things you need to put into consideration when choosing a halter:
• How well the halter fits the goats’ faces well;
• A comfortable halter. Goats don’t respond well to uncomfortable collars or halters, so you have to make sure you purchase a comfortable halter;
• You should buy a halter that looks good. Aesthetics is also important;
• The halter you purchase must be durable. You wouldn’t want to have to change the halter constantly;
• You also need to consider the type of leads the halters have. Some do not have loops, so there’s nothing for the trainer to hold on to should the goat jerk its head;
• The size of your goat matters too. However, you should buy an adjustable halter to get the best out of the halter. An adjustable halter will cater to different goats of varying sizes.
FAQs
Can Goats Eat with a Halter On?
Goats can safely graze, eat or drink with a halter, so there is no need to take it off when your goat is about to feed.
Can I Leave a Halter on a Goat?
It is advised that you never leave a halter on a goat. After training, remove it and store it away. Leaving a halter on an animal is dangerous, as the halter can get caught on something and injure the animal.
What is the Difference Between a Goat Hater and a Goat Collar?
A halter is a headgear that is used to tie up animals, especially livestock. It usually fits around the muzzle and has a lead rope attached. On the other hand, a collar is a device placed around the neck of a goat to allow it to be restrained or controlled.
Final Thoughts
Goats are intelligent creatures, and just like other pets, a little training is all they need to be the sweetest pets to have around. The most effective way to train a goat is the application of a halter. Whether you want to show your goats or keep them on your farm, you need to train them. Once you do, you’ll soon discover that it’s very easy to make them do whatever you want.
