Draft Goats
Giant Goats: the Nimble Beasts
High in the alpine reaches, herds of massive animals scale the slopes in search of nutrient-rich lichens and tough, sugary grasses. Their bellows can be heard from miles off, and in autumn the crash of tall-horned heads sounds like thunder in the valleys. Covered in coats of dense seasonal hair to protect them from the freezing temperatures of winter and the biting flies of summer, these beasts are among the hardiest to be found. In the wild, giant goats range in family groups, typically made up of around eight to fifteen individuals. They are highly social, creating lasting, life-long bonds--bonds that are necessary for survival in a place where one wrong step could mean death, and an unwary eye could leave the entire herd as dinner for the predators that haunt the valleys and skies. All of these traits make them ideal companions and unrivaled beasts of burden for the people who dwell alongside them.Domestication
The process of domesticating giant goats is a challenge not to be attempted lightly. Billys are aggressive protectors capable of challenging and defeating near any enemy they face head-on; their skull bash attack is generally fatal to any person it connects with, and if that doesn't do it, he'll follow up with a goring horn swing or stamp the poor victims bones to paste. Nannys, though less inclined to intentionally kill intruders, are still capable of defending themselves with powerful kicks. It has been observed that they seem to prefer kicking threats over the edge of cliffs, and if no cliff is around, they will flee. Not the friendliest bunch. The most successful method of taming these goats was started using orphaned kids captured from the wild after their mothers were killed for food. These individuals tended to be wild and unruly even into adulthood, never quite trusting the people who raised and handled them. Their kids, however, have no fear of people. Kids born in captivity to non-hostile parents grow to be fiercely loyal companions with a natural drive to please their handlers. Methods of taming relying on intimidation and pain (such as whipping, hobbling, and starvation) invariably end in failure, and often in severe injury or death.Uses
Domesticated giant goats are referred to as draft goats to separate them from both the dangerous wild populations of their species and their smaller relatives. They typically fulfill the niche of other large animals in lower elevations as a reliable mode of transportation through the mountainous terrain, working in fields, hauling materials, and as a source of milk.Agricultural Uses
Draft goats are primarily used agriculturally and in forestry. Farms that raise draft goats for the purpose of breeding also export their milk and milk products, and will lease out individuals during the ploughing season for use in fields. during the harvest season, they instead haul products from the field to storage. Adults not involved with a breeding program are given higher-risk jobs such as hauling trees for lumber.Travelling
Any travel through the mountains is made easier by riding a draft goat. The rocky ground, dangerous weather and steep sloped prohibit the construction of roads, and even the few that exist are often impassable by foot or wagon during the colder seasons. With a goat as a mount, however, even the most hostile terrain is a non-issue. With a rider or other burden, their sure-footedness is slightly less than it might be otherwise, but they remain profoundly adept regardless and rarely face problems even over long distances.Combat and Military
Many mountain strongholds employ small cavalry units of mounted soldiers, paired two to a goat: one archer, one lancer. They can patrol the area unhindered, employing ambush strategies against invaders from the slopes. The archers lock down their targets with a rain of arrows while the lancers maneuver their beasts into position before charging down and trampling their enemies. Most non-breeding billys end up in military service due to the intense bonds they form with their two-legged partners and their protective instincts.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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