Handling and restraining goats correctly is an important part of good animal management. Whether you need to inspect an animal, administer treatment, trim hooves or carry out routine health procedures, goats should always be handled calmly and safely.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
Rough handling can stress animals, particularly pregnant does, and may result in injury to both the goat and the handler.
Goats can become anxious when chased or shouted at. The best approach is to remain calm and patient. Instead of running after animals, goatkeepers should gently guide them into an enclosure or pen where they can be handled more easily. Offering a small amount of feed can also help attract goats and make catching them easier.
Calm handling not only reduces stress but also makes animals easier to manage over time.
Also read: Areas suitable for goat farming in South Africa
Safely catching a goat
When approaching a goat, move quietly and stand alongside the animal rather than directly in front of it. The animal can then be restrained by holding it by the horns, neck or high on the hind leg.
Young goats require a slightly different approach. They can be picked up by placing one arm in front of the front legs and the other behind the back legs to support the body.
Working alone or with assistance
If you are handling goats alone, a rope loop can be used to keep the animal safely in place. The rope should be tied comfortably around the goat’s neck and secured to a gatepost, fence or tree. Care should be taken to ensure the rope is not too tight and that the goat remains comfortable.
If help is available, another person can assist by holding the goat around the neck or by controlling it by the horns while procedures are performed.
Also read: This is what you must know about goats
Restraining a goat for longer procedures
For procedures that may take longer, goats can be placed on their side and restrained more securely. This is done by reaching under the belly and gently pulling the two legs on the opposite side of the body towards you. The front legs can then be held and raised so that the goat sits comfortably on its rump.
This position helps keep the animal steady while reducing unnecessary movement during handling.
Handle with care
Proper handling is not just about convenience; it also contributes to animal welfare and productivity. Stress can affect animals negatively, particularly pregnant goats. By handling animals calmly and using the correct restraint methods, goatkeepers can protect both themselves and their livestock.
The information in this article is sourced from the Goatkeepers’ Animal Health Care Manual published by ARC Veterinary Onderstepoort Research with with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs. For more information, contact your animal health technician, veterinarian or another appropriate animal health professional.
Also read: Love of goats pulls Elvis back to his roots
