Company Specializes In Tack For Goats

2021 - Volume #45, Issue #1, Page #31

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When you buy saddles, panniers and other pack goat tack from Butt-Head Pack Goat Equipment, you can be assured the products have been thoroughly trail-tested. The owner/operators got into the business because of their lifelong love of hiking and camping.
Decades ago, they saw a camper using pack goats and liked the idea of using them to help carry their gear. They already had goats, but began adding bigger goats with strong legs and backs. They tried using dog packs that were already on the market, but they didn’t work. After much trial and error, Dennis Willingham finally came up with the right design.
“Our packs have a double cinch,” says Carol Moore, Willingham’s mother. “When we were out on the trail, the saddle lifted up in the back with a single cinch and that causes rubbing. This holds the saddle with one cinch behind the front legs and another around the stomach area.”
Butt-Head Pack Goat Equipment also takes pride in how well their halters fit and the quality of their saddles, which start with an oak and poplar wood frame.
“I use a breathable canvas cover for the attached saddle pads,” Willingham explains. “I created pads that can be removed and cleaned. My design also includes padded chest and rump straps. Our goats have never had a saddle sore from my saddles.”
Saddle bags are made of Cordura fabric that is water-resistant and durable, and have quick-release buckles and drawstring closures for easy access. They come in seven colors.
The business’ most popular products are the Trail Master saddle ($160) and the large saddle bags ($110). Many other items are available on the Butt-Head Pack Goat website. Customers are guided through the process of measuring goats for cinches and other equipment, and Willingham does custom orders.
Using pack goats has become a trend, Moore says, which keeps the family business busy. Bonding and training goats starts when they are young, and when they are full grown at age 3 or 4, a 200-lb. goat can carry 25 percent of its weight, or 50 lbs.
“You’d be surprised how agile they are. They get in areas where pack mules and horses couldn’t get in,” Moore says.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Butt-Head Pack Goat Equipment, P.O. Box 333, Rough and Ready, Calif. 95975 (ph 530 432-0946; www.buttheadpackgoats.com; bhpackgoats@hotmail.com).

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Company Specializes In Tack For Goats HITCHES When you buy saddles panniers and other pack goat tack from Butt-Head Pack Goat Equipment you can be assured the products have been thoroughly trail-tested The owner/operators got into the business because of their lifelong love of hiking and camping Decades ago they saw a camper using pack goats and liked the idea of using them to help carry their gear They already had goats but began adding bigger goats with strong legs and backs They tried using dog packs that were already on the market but they didn’t work After much trial and error Dennis Willingham finally came up with the right design “Our packs have a double cinch ” says Carol Moore Willingham’s mother “When we were out on the trail the saddle lifted up in the back with a single cinch and that causes rubbing This holds the saddle with one cinch behind the front legs and another around the stomach area ” Butt-Head Pack Goat Equipment also takes pride in how well their halters fit and the quality of their saddles which start with an oak and poplar wood frame “I use a breathable canvas cover for the attached saddle pads ” Willingham explains “I created pads that can be removed and cleaned My design also includes padded chest and rump straps Our goats have never had a saddle sore from my saddles ” Saddle bags are made of Cordura fabric that is water-resistant and durable and have quick-release buckles and drawstring closures for easy access They come in seven colors The business’ most popular products are the Trail Master saddle $160 and the large saddle bags $110 Many other items are available on the Butt-Head Pack Goat website Customers are guided through the process of measuring goats for cinches and other equipment and Willingham does custom orders Using pack goats has become a trend Moore says which keeps the family business busy Bonding and training goats starts when they are young and when they are full grown at age 3 or 4 a 200-lb goat can carry 25 percent of its weight or 50 lbs “You’d be surprised how agile they are They get in areas where pack mules and horses couldn’t get in ” Moore says Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Butt-Head Pack Goat Equipment P O Box 333 Rough and Ready Calif 95975 ph 530 432-0946; www buttheadpackgoats com; bhpackgoats@hotmail com

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