Pastoralism is the ancient practice of symbiotic goat husbandry.
It begins with an understanding for the care of goats, and appreciation of their uniqueness. This is foundational. Goats are not like the cows, the horse, sheep, or the family dogs. The same bale of hay, pasture, run, and paddock does not fit all species. What’s good for the donkey isn’t necessarily ideal for the goat. If you’ve never raised goats, but have dogs, sheep, cows, and or horses - you’re already aware that goats are in a distinctive, ruminant class all their own.
This blog series was borne out my personal experience of seeking information and resources devoted to pastoralism. I wanted to be a modern goat herder, and not rear my herd in the CONVENTIONAL, CONFINEMENT SYSTEM of livestock management practiced everywhere. My searches continually resulted in finding the same subject matter on the basics of caring for goats. Repeated by multiple bloggers, writing about similar topics. In many cases it was the same exact content throughout various websites. Did they just copy and past word for word? How could this be? Granted, some of this basic information is necessary, but once it has been mastered, is that really all there is to goat husbandry? I became unsettled by the idea that goats, being truly amazing creatures, designed to provide so much help to the land, remained in an unending cycle of being kept like horse, fed like cows, handled like sheep, and looked down upon as the lowliest species on the farmstead. Deep inside in knew beyond the basics, was where my herd would connect with its true purpose, and many of the struggles I encountered would be overcome.
My herd would painstakingly teach me. What I needed to do, was watch, listen and learn.
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