Why Goats Headbutt: and How to Prevent Your Goat from Headbutting You

Have you ever wondered, why goats headbutt? It’s often not clear why goats headbutt, which can leave many people feeling a little confused about why their goat seems to have suddenly developed an aggressive streak! However, if this is something you’ve faced, we’ve summarized some of the key things you need to know about who goats headbutt. 

We’ve also come up with some ideas on how to stop a goat from headbutting – but remember! A goat’s skull is designed to withstand massive impacts (far more than our own bones can handle, most likely). As such, if your goat’s headbutting tendency is getting dangerous, we strongly recommend that you consider whether it is safe to be around at all.

Why do Goats Headbutt?

There are countless reasons why goats headbutt things, but if your goat is headbutting other goats, it’s typically a sign of dominance. In most cases, headbutting another goat is your goat’s way of telling the other goat that they’re the boss. It’s part of the natural hierarchy of a goat herd, in many cases, and so you’ll often see goats headbutting one another after being introduced to a new group. 

However, it’s incredibly important to remember that, even though headbutting is a natural part of establishing the pecking order, it can still cause injuries. Damage to the head or horns is possible, but other injuries are also possible while your goats are fighting. With this thought in mind, we strongly recommend that you keep an eye on your goats if they are fighting to ensure no harm is done. A leg caught behind a horn can easily result in a broken bone – which could be disastrous for your goat.

Sometimes, however, headbutting may be more than just establishing the pecking order. Some dominant goats may bully other goats, which can cause an unpleasant herd dynamic (especially if they’re bored, but they may do this anyway if they’re that way inclined). Alternatively, goats may butt other goats or even other animals if they are scared.

Finally, it’s worth considering that headbutting may also, in some cases, be a sign of frustration. We once had a stunning Boer buck who used to butt his scratching brush if he got hay caught behind his horns to try to dislodge it. Alternatively, if your goat is stressed, it may start butting as a similar sign of frustration.

How to Stop a Goat From Headbutting You? 

If your goat begins to headbutt you, stopping this behavior as soon as possible is important. However, correcting this may be more difficult if the goat has gotten away with headbutting for a while. As such, we recommend trying to dissuade the behavior as soon as possible.

Sometimes, if you think your goat might be butting you for attention-seeking purposes, the best way to fix this may simply be to walk away and not give the goat any recognition. If a goat is butting you out of frustration for attention, ignoring them may make them realize that butting won’t get them any extra scratches. However, you should always be aware of where your goat is and how they are behaving if trying to ignore them, just to be sure they don’t butt you again.

If your goat continues to try and butt when you ignore them, or if they are butting out of aggression, you may need to take steps to let them know that this is not okay. Some people go into an aggressive buck’s pen with a bucket of water or a water gun (knowing how aquaphobic many goats can be!) Alternatively, keeping a wide berth between you and the goat may be enough to stop them from challenging you – but this really depends on the animal.

What if my Goat is Becoming Aggressive With Me? 

If your goat is becoming directly aggressive with you, it’s important to show it that you are the boss. This should always be done carefully and so as not to cause any injury, stress, or pain to the goat; however, restraining them or holding them until they calm down and stop acting aggressively may help. Nipping this issue in the bud right when it starts is crucial to stop things from getting worse.

Are There Ways Goats Express Dominance or Aggression Besides Headbutting?

In some cases, you might find that your goat attempts to express their dominance in ways other than headbutting you. Sometimes, a goat (especially a buck) may simply rear up to try and show you how big it is; this is preferable to headbutting, so long as it doesn’t follow it up with a butt! Alternatively, you might find that a buck or billy might attempt to “court” you (for lack of a better word). 

In any case, while these may seem like less severe issues than butting directly, it’s worth remembering that they are still unwanted behaviors. Therefore, it’s still advisable to try and correct these as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming more aggressive or dangerous with time.

How Can I Tell Whether my Goat is Headbutting for Play or Aggression? 

It’s worth considering that, in some cases, your goat may actually be headbutting you as part of a game or seeking attention. Telling the difference can sometimes seem tricky, but generally speaking, a goat playing will be a lot more relaxed in its actions. Contrastingly, an aggressive goat may make a beeline for you as if attacking, potentially from a distance. Considering this may help you decide whether your goat is headbutting for play or aggression.

But, in any case, knowing why your goats are headbutting is potentially irrelevant; whether it’s fun or not, you should always correct this behavior at the first opportunity to prevent them from becoming dangerous. Even a playful butt can be risky!

Final Thoughts

Goats are designed to headbutt, let’s be honest here. In many cases, learning how to stop a goat from headbutting may be redundant; they may stop this behavior on their own. However, if your goat has been headbutting you or its pen, it’s important to stop this behavior ASAP. You could achieve this with a bucket of water or by ignoring them, depending on the cause.