Central Park Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo
Coney Island 1905I wonder why goat cart's were a popular ride concession in the 1900's, as well as donkey/pony rides, camel rides and elephant rides, and the occasional llama ride, yet in "modern times" you never saw them, while camel, elephant, and pony rides retained their popularity?
I had a team of goats I trained just for the heck of it. Did a few parades and goat cart rides at schools, etc. Though I hitched all four in parctice, for the rides I would have to switch teams of two every half hour or so, because they tired out a lot faster than a pony or camel. Maybe that's why they didn't have them on all day venues like carnivals and fairs. If I get the pics scanned, I'll send you some pictures of my set up. I also used to have a small catalog of goat carts, wagons and harness, which I had made by a menonite guy in Illinois, until I got into harness making myself.
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Oh, I forgot to mention, I also used to collect old photos of goat driving related stuff, so if you ever decide to do another goat driving episode, I can send you those too. I wrote the manual for 4-H clubs wanting to try their hand at training driving goats. It might still be in use out there someplace.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that Sears used to sell carts and harness for goats back at the turn of the century. Stdebaker also sold goat carts when they were a wagon building company.
Ian
Ian,
ReplyDeleteIn old goat hitch photos, it seems Angora goats were often the preferred animal of choice. I don't know if it was because of the "exotic" horns, or that they were a new and novel breed. I should think a Boer goat would be a good choice today. What breed did you use? Do you think, in hindsight, if they had been conditioned, possibly on a treadmill as opposed to free lunging they would have developed a stronger stamina and been able to pull for longer periods of time without tiring? Did you drive them, or lead them? Raul Rodrigues made a "unique" pony sweep for the miniature horse act I trained for him, although I have always hated to see act animals like horse's, ponies, and elephants doing rides. In my eyes, it demeans a performing animal. Because the horse's were obviously too small to be ridden, he had small carts/wagons made for them instead.
I have heard you have a web site with your product's listed, but can't seem to find it. Send it along with your goat pictures, and I will see if there is room to post it on "relevant stops."
Wade
Wade, my goats were Saanen whethers. Angoras would have been small for the wagon I had. The wagon was so heavy, it took 2 people to pull it up the steep driveway, yet the goats trotted up as though they had nothing behind them. Boers would be strong, but not as tall. The Saanens grew to the size of small ponies and were very muscular from their training. They were driven with regular bridles.
ReplyDeleteThey did have good stamina, and a couple of parades I did were several miles, but I think on a daily grind it would be a different story, but maybe not.
My website is all motorcycle related stuff, which is what I make now. the url is http://blackcanyonleather.net/
My first intention was to go into exotic animal stuff, but the bike products have proven more profitable.
Ian
Ian,
ReplyDeleteWow!!! Nice work, I'm impressed. I love fine leather, and although neopreme products and fiber glass whips are available today in the horse world, I won't use anything but finely oiled leather. Not only does it not feel right in your hands, it's just not right for a lot of reasons, and I won't touch an elephant hook/ankus without a hand tapered hickory handle. In my collection of vintage animal training treasure's(which my disrespectful son's refer to as junk) I have over a dozen hand made falconry hoods, an ostrich racing halter, plated lashes from Charly Baumann, GGW, Lou Regan, Pat Anthony amoung others, and so much other cra, sorry treasure. But, reality is, and it is unfortunate for a craftsman like you bike/Harley products seems to be the way to go if you are to survive. I had a saddle maker in Montana who did repair work for me for years. Six months ago, I contacted him to have some new biting rings put on my training saddle, and he contacted me back and said he only did road chaps, vests, and saddle bags for bikers any more, and had sold his saddle making equipment. I don't think we need any more of an example of how the world has gone straight to hell, then that!!!!
Wade
Leather is like magic for me. When I was a kid, I took riding lessons - lumper and dressage. I remember the whole way home in the car I would cup my hands over my nose to smell the reins and horse sweat.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first learned harness making, I didn't have a stitcher and made a complete draft driving harness, completely hand sewn. Then I got the idea to make fine driving harness, but there's no way to compete with the top harness shops and you definitely can't compete with what's made in India. Even the rough work that the Amish do(and the Amish harness is pretty roughly made)can't compete.
I always thought saddlemakers were the ultimate leather craftsmen. Check out this guy's work. It's enough to make you weep.
http://troywestsaddles.com/index.htm
It takes him almost a full year to make some of his saddles. Look at the saddle he made for George Bush, and every stitch done by hand.
You're right though, leathercraft will survive only as something for the very rich who can afford that level of craftsmanship. Even with the motorcycle stuff, I can't even buy the hides for what the imported finished products sell for, so it's a niche market of guys who want hand made things and I'm starting to sell more to Europe and Japan.
Still, I'm holding on to my stock of patent in case there is ever a big resurgence in circus horses and exotics.
Ian
Did you say he SOLD his saddlemaking tools? Sacriledge. I've had to expand my shop 3 times - I just can't stop buying tools leather and equipment. Sad to think, when we die, most likely who ever is left to sort out the possesions will just consider it "junk" and pitch it all. I had a good collection of antique horse training books. My biggest fear was that they would end up at Salvation Army if I ever dropped dead.
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