Packing your gear
The scale that came with the goats you rented looks like a fish scale but in reality it is intended for you to use to weigh your gear as you fill the panniers in order to keep the load balanced on the goat it is important that the weight is balanced on each side of the pack frame. You can either weigh your individual pieces or create a manifest that lists the gear and its weight then you just work from the list and keep the pannier weight balanced on each side. Also your goats will be different sizes one will be capable of carrying say 60lbs and the other maybe only 45lbs. if you get the loads crossed up your going to have one very tired goat and one that’s ready to go all the time. The way you will tell this is by watching the goats, a goat will let you know when he is tired. He may be breathing much harder than the other goats. He won’t say hey its time for a break he will simply stop where he is paw the ground a time or two to clear a spot and he will lie down right there in the trail. If he does this too frequently you need to lighten his load. Give some of his gear to the goat that never lies down. You will soon learn the character traits of each of your hiking companions. We will tell you how much weight you can pack on each goat and you should know that we condition our goats to carry as much weight as they safely can so don’t overload them.

On the trail
You made it to base camp and now you are ready to hit the trail. You have your goats ready to go but what to do with them while you’re in camp. Do you tie them or let them run free? You may find Goats really like being in camp they will mill around eating pine needles and bark and leaves and pretty much just hang out with you. When you build a campfire they will want to join right in the fun and gather around the fire. They wont wander far away if you let them free but depending on where you are and weather or not there are many predators you may wish to tie one of them or keep them in your trailer or truck bed during the night. If you tie one the others don’t want to leave him behind so they stay closer.