Goat Drama
Emily and I noticed the horses acting funny this morning. They were acting spooked and looking toward the barn. I went out to make sure everything was okay with Brad and the goats, and when I got there, only two goats came to greet me. I looked around and saw Banjo on the ground, kind of half way under the big hay feeder. He was all twisted around, shivering, and occasionally twitching his leg. It wasn’t like he was frantic – more like he was dying. I ran in and as soon as I touched him he kind of rolled over and looked to be ok. The problem was his front paw was sort of twisted back behind him and wedged in around the leg of the feeder. He was completely stuck. It took me a little while to free him because he was struggling and I was afraid his leg might be broken so I was being very careful. I finally got him out and he stood right up and seemed ok except for a limp. I carried him into the garage so he could warm up and relax without the other goats around, and gave him so hay and water. I went out and fed the horses and Brad and when I came back he seemed fine and his limp was much better. I don’t think his leg is injured – I think it was just sore from being stuck like that or maybe it was numb.
I put him back with the others, and Moon immediately charged him and head butted him in the side. He ran away and hid for a bit and then came out to eat. A little while later Moon did it again, and again he hid. I’ve been noticing since I got back that he seems a little timid. The other two run out and jump up on the door when I come to visit them, but Banjo kind of stays back. Maybe that’s just the social order they’ve developed. The problem is Moon has horns so I’m afraid he might hurt Banjo. For now I’m just keeping an eye on them.