Being a Goat in a World of Horses

Summary

The author, a volunteer at a therapeutic horse farm, draws parallels between their experience working with goats and their own life, reflecting on the overlooked importance of both.

Abstract

The author dedicates time to caring for horses and goats at a therapeutic riding facility, focusing on the often unnoticed role of the goats in vegetation management. They share a special connection with the goats, which has led to the nickname "goat whisperer." The author reflects on feeling akin to the goats, acknowledging that while horses are the main attraction, goats also require attention and care. The article emphasizes the value of unseen contributions and the need to appreciate those who, like goats, may not be the center of attention but are nonetheless vital.

Opinions

The author identifies with the goats, suggesting a personal connection to the idea of being underappreciated.
Horses are seen as majestic and central to the farm's operations, while goats are considered secondary and less glamorous.
The author believes that goats, like certain people, are essential and deserve recognition and care despite their less prominent role.
There is a subtle critique of the tendency to prioritize the visible and impressive over the practical and necessary.
The author encourages readers to acknowledge and value the contributions of those who work behind the scenes, much like the goats at the farm.

Reflections from my work with the goats at a horse farm

Feeding the goats. Photo by Author

I volunteer three days a week at a therapeutic riding facility. They have fourteen horses they use to provide various types of therapeutic riding sessions. The volunteers take care of the horses. We feed the horses. Groom the horses. Saddle the horses. Clean the stalls. Everything that needs to be done to support the staff in their mission.

The farm also has six goats. I thought perhaps the goats might be the start of some new therapy class, but I was told they are there to clear vegetation in certain areas so we don’t have to. Each day, the goats are moved from their pen to a larger area where they can run around and eat said vegetation. There are two small goats(seen above) that need to be fed separately each day. The volunteer coordinator saw me herding the goats a few times and mentioned to the lead volunteers that I was good with the goats. The goats are now my job each of the three days I am there. Several people call me the goat whisperer.

While I was with the goats recently, I reflected on how similar I am to the goats and what it is like to be a goat in a world of horses.

The horses:

are beautiful and majestic

are the stars of the show

do the jobs everyone notices

are the reason most people are there

would be missed if they were not available

are treated like the stars they are

The goats:

are cute, but also a little annoying

are easily forgotten until they start crying

do a job most people don’t notice

feel like a chore and not a pleasure

are not the priority

Me:

not cute, but definitely a little annoying

easily forgotten until I start complaining

spent most of my life doing jobs that no one noticed until I was gone and no longer doing them

I am generally seen as a chore and not a pleasure

I am definitely not anyone’s priority

I can see why I am so good with the goats. I have been a goat my entire life. Goats need love as much as the horses. Don’t neglect the goats in your life. Goats need love too.

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Being a Goat in a World of Horses

Reflections from my work with the goats at a horse farm

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