The Goat Boys are ancient. Twelve years of age. I’ve been told by their veterinarian (a woman who specializes in goats) that every year past eight is a gift. For most of their lives they lived in my backyard at Little Pond Farm. When I moved to Maine they came here too, and settled into Noisy Farm, a lovely little place ten minutes from Turtle Hill. There they have goat friends, ducks, horses, and other beings to keep them company, as well as Kim, who dotes on them. Kim and I didn’t think they’d make it through last winter, but they did, and even thrived over the summer. Pip and Caper have few teeth left and they feel bony, like old animals do. But they seem happy.
The Boys are as sweet as ever.
Here is Pip, who likes to take whiffling breaths of my face.
To compensate for their aging teeth they’re fed soft grass hay and also bagged chopped hay. They’re keeping just enough weight on their frames. Goats warm themselves from the inside out. If they have enough forage fermenting in their bellies, they stay toasty. They also grow thick and dense winter coats to trap that heat in. This year Pip and Caper’s undercoats are sparse. They’re now too old to make their own winter coats. They’ve been shivering.
So I am buying them coats. The same company that makes blankets for horses makes jackets for goats. Here is what Tonka wears. He’s not so old, but he also doesn’t grow in enough of a dense fur coat to keep him warm in Maine. He likes the comfort of a windproof and thick blanket. This is his lightweight coat. He also has a medium and a heavy. He has better coats than I do! Goat coats come in only one version, but having a windbreak and some padding should keep the Goat Boys comfortable this winter.
I’m optimistic that the Goat Boys will appreciate what the coats do for them, and that they won’t turn them into games – goats like nothing better than puzzles to dismantle. I’m hoping that the coats will arrive in the next couple of weeks. Follow me on Instagram, where I’ll be posting photos of Pip and Caper in their winter garb.
It is so lovely to see Pip and Caper again and good of you to buy them coats. What lovely boys they are.
One of my old goats wore a coat for several years! I firmly believed that he really liked it and I never had any issue with him or any other the others taking it off. It was a smartpak dog blanket that I altered a little. Worked really well!
Wonderful to see Pip and Caper again. Hopefully the blankets will do the trick. Have just moved my Girls to the winter side of garden so they still get some sunshine during the day. I only have 3 left of my original 6, they are 8 years old now. Was going to add 3 new girls but thought at there age it was unfair. Hope Tonka is responding to his rest and you will be able to ride freely soon.
So wonderful to see Pip’s and Caper’s handsome faces again. Glad they will be nice and toasty this winter and they have such good care.
How good to hea from you Terryr that Pip and Caper are still enjoying life at their adoptive farm, near enough to get visits and scratches, as well as cosy winter coats, from you and Steve!