May 23, 2016

A New Stump for the Kids

Goat kids love to climb, so folks often accommodate them with various toys in the goat yard: empty cable spools, ramps, forts, picnic tables, etc. We've always had a stump. The original stump had pretty much disintegrated to dirt, so the other day Dan replaced it with a new one. The trouble was, it was the adults who argued over it, not the kids.

Violet claimed it but Daphne didn't like that and challenged her for it.

Jessie was interested but didn't participate in the debate.

Violet is more agile and equally stubborn, so she maintained top position.

Everybody else just stood back and watched.

Eventually the kids got their turn.

One of Stella's girls with Luki's Daisy May

Challenger April is biggest though and a queen in the making.

Second sister was not allowed to jump up either.

April was determined

and won that round.

One of Lini's twin girls.

April restaked her claim by

pushing her off.


The victor enjoying her newly claimed territory

until Lini's other twin makes her casual appoach.


That didn't last long.

And the game continues.

Because of their coloring, I'm thinking of naming Lini's girls Elsa and Anna after the heroines in my granddaughter's favorite movie.

Lini's twin girls

Those of you with young children or grandchildren will likely know what I mean.

26 comments:

Fiona said...

Play...watching animals play is the best therapy! The dominance issues are interesting to see play out. Best of all is you pay attention to the entertainment of your critters, it helps with their health and happiness!

Laurie said...

Your goats are quite comical. I would have loved watching them play.

Theresa said...

LOL, oh let it go! I don't have young children but I got ya. Myself I like Merida and Angus and wouldn't it be fun to weave a clan DunBroch tartan. Our goats have rocks, and horses. The play on and off sleeping horses doesn't last long but the rocks don't complain. :-)

Quinn said...

My goats are deprived...only big rocks and the bole of a fallen maple to play on, no stumps. They are trying to make their own stumps by killing off some massive trees, though.

Mama Pea said...

What's the ramp type affair on one side of the stump? Is it a slab of cement? We used to build up cement blocks for our goats to climb on as it helped keep their hooves from needing trimmed so often. One could definitely sit and watch goat antics for hours!

Renee Nefe said...

I live with an 18y/o Disney Princess so I totally think you should "Let it Go!" and name the girls after the princesses. :D That stump looks like a lot of fun, but I bet the goats won't share. ;)

Renee Nefe said...

My princess thinks those names are good!

Mark said...

Who would have thought an old stump would be the center of attention, the favorite toy, and coveted property of "the mighty"? :) What fun!

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,

It's always fun watching babes play. I could stand and watch them all day. Enjoy!

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

I love seeing pictures of your goats. How fun it must be to watch them. Nancy

PioneerPreppy said...

I usually park one of my trailers out for the lambs to play on but in a pinch they will use a round bale of hay too.

Leigh said...

It's great fun to watch them. And they love to play!

Leigh said...

Goats are a hoot. Very entertaining. :)

Leigh said...

Brave is one I haven't seen but now I think I need to! Funny how your kids will scale the horses. :)

Leigh said...

Actually I would love to have some big rocks for our kids to play on. But we'd have to buy them and they ain't cheap! Great way to keep their hooves trimmed, however.

Leigh said...

Mama Pea, those are actually the concrete steps from the old coal barn. Whoever cast them used rocks as a base, so Dan flipped them upside-down and put them in for the goats. We hoped it would help keep their hooves trim, but it hasn't worked out that way.

Leigh said...

LOL, I figured she would. :)

Leigh said...

They definitely love their game of "Queen of the Stump." :)

Leigh said...

It's one of those things you take time out to enjoy because they grow up so fast!

Leigh said...

It's a joy to watch them play. :)

Leigh said...

I can see how they would love that! I'm guessing lambs play the same way kids do.

Farmer Barb said...

My goats get the whole length of the stone wall to use as the Goat Super Highway. I also get the benefit of nicely trimmed hooves from the 220' emery board. My favorite part about your pictures is the "You Wanna Dance?" hairs up in the middle of their backs! So goaty!

Leigh said...

Those bristles mean it's serious business!

That's the best part of rocks to play on, trim hooves.

Harry Flashman said...

There used to be a store up here called "Goats on the Roof". It was a tourist shop, but the roof had little houses and bridges on it, and the goats lived up there.

Leigh said...

I love that! And I'm sure the goats did too.

Laura said...

Mine have to make do with up turned stock tanks and dogloos. It is fun to watch them tear around and carom off the sides of things, including juniper trees!!