These little darlings are sure fun to have around but it takes a lot of work to keep a livestock breeding program running smoothly.

By Kim Lemmon

Many of you know that I have raised pygmy goats for about 7 years. Some of you even followed some of the ups and downs of my goat breeding program through this blog.

I loved my goats and enjoyed caring for them but as the years passed the joys of raising livestock were often overshadowed by the struggles to keep them all healthy, fed, watered and living in clean pens while still fulfilling my duties at home and work.

It became evident this summer that I really wasn’t enjoying the goats as much as I should have been. I had sold my favorites so I was basically cleaning up after and caring for some really fancy goats from which I really wasn’t getting any enjoyment.

To the shock of almost everyone I know, I decided to sell my remaining goats and take a break for awhile.

I didn’t struggle with the decision and I don’t regret it. I can always buy more goats if I wish.

The joys have vastly outnumbered the sadness of selling the goats. I do miss talking with and seeing my goat vet and friends but that is about all I miss for now. We’ll see what happens next winter when I don’t have a baby goat to hold.

It has been refreshing to not worry about sales or customers or loud and unhappy goats waiting on their dinner. I can go when and where  I want and know that with the horses turned out on pasture and the barn cats fed, all will be quiet and peaceful at home.

Chores take me about 15 to 20 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening which should eventually leave a lot of time for driving my miniature horses and draft horse.

I say eventually because I’m still sorting and cleaning up 7 years of goat accessories.

The exciting part of it all is waiting to see what adventures will come my way next. I doubt I’ll be content to care for two minis and my draft mare for long without adding critters of some sort to their little family.