How to Make Goat Harnesses
With some skill and a heavy-duty sewing machine, you can make a safe, comfortable and durable goat harness. Specialized harnesses, from packsaddles to breeding rigs, are complicated for the beginning harness maker. Making a driving harness, designed to attach to cart traces, is especially complex and expensive. So start with an all-purpose wagon or working harness. According to Marna Kazmaier of Workinggoats.com, "Making your own goat equipment is fun and rewarding. You will be able to pick out your favorite colors . . . and can add buttons, bows, bells, thicker padding, or whatever."
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape for sewing
- Sewing machine
- Heavy-duty sewing needles
- Nylon webbing
- Stainless steel double-bar or plastic snap-in buckles
- Stainless steel D- or O-rings, as needed
- Heavy-duty thread
- Polar or fake-fur fleece
- Hole punch (for double-bar buckles only)
Instructions
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How to Make Goat Harnesses
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1
Carefully study examples of the harness style you plan to make, and devise a workable pattern; borrow a good goat harness, if at all possible. Make sure the "pattern" harness is the right size for your goat. Most goat harnesses include a well-padded surcingle strap or cinch around the girth area, a padded breast strap, a britching or butt strap, and a back strap for stability.
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2
Measure each strap to determine how much nylon webbing and fleece you need, including extra yardage for double thicknesses, etc. (Plan for double-thick fleece padding; stitch right-sides together then turn inside out and finish.) Count and measure the rings and buckles too.
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3
Find what you need at hardware and fabric or crafts stores. Cut the webbing and fleece--measure again before cutting, if in doubt--and begin to assemble the harness, strap by strap. In general, finish (stitch) strap ends before attaching rings, and attach rings before buckles. Add fleece padding last.
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4
Stitch and double-stitch, because stitch strength determines the durability of your finished harness--more so than webbing thickness.
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5
Assemble (buckle together) the finished harness. If you're using metal double-bar buckles, punch holes in each "bare" strap, for later adjustments.
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6
Harness your goat (without attaching it to a vehicle) and adjust straps. You want the cinch snug but otherwise the fit should allow your goat full freedom of movement. Make sure no straps or strap ends hang loose or drag on the ground, for your goat's safety and yours.
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Tips & Warnings
Add harness bells, buttons or bows with hand stitches--using very strong thread, fishing line or dental floss.
Pony and sled dog harnesses are not suitable or safe for goats, though you may be able to make a suitable multipurpose goat harness starting with a standard dog-walking harness designed for large or very large dogs. Be sure the chest strap is padded, and add britching and other straps, padding and rings as needed.
For goat safety and health, never allow your goat to pull from her halter or leading collar. Pulling from the head and neck can cause serious injury or death (crushed wind pipe).
