Farm-Fresh Flow

Finding serenity among Colorado Goat Yoga’s charming kids

By Mara Welty

Walking into the barn at 3650 North Co Road 3 in Loveland on a particularly sunny day, yoga mat-clad visitors were greeted by a menagerie of whinnies, clucks and gobbles. In an effort to shelter from the sun, two caramel-toned horses reared their beautiful heads from their stables, overlooking the gamboling band of baby fainting goats, each making their way through yoga mats, arched backs and giggling children. 

The farm, owned by Janet Farkas, is a love letter to her community, and her kids—of the goat variety, that is. 

“The farm doesn’t really serve a purpose for us if we don’t share it with others,” says Farkas. “The key is to bring people to a place where they can go to learn about agriculture and find a sense of peace.” 

Farkas founded Barnyard Buddies, a homestead dedicated to breeding and raising rare, unique and endangered livestock species in 2003. Since then, the farm has blossomed with well-statured Texas longhorns, mini white Dexter cattle, Magpie ducks and Bourbon Red turkeys, the flightless bird that inspired Benjamin Franklin’s plea to make the turkey America’s national bird. 

But perhaps the most sought after are the Fainting Goats. This unique breed is known for a fascinating condition where their muscles freeze momentarily when they’re startled or excited. They’re smaller than most goats, but their condition doesn’t set them back. Walking through their enclosure, which guests can do before and after the yoga class, the curious creatures approach their new friends with an endearing softness. All sizes and ages roam the outdoor pen, but only the babies are rounded up to participate in a one-hour flow of child’s pose, Warrior 2 and downward facing goat. 

Kaitlin Mueller, the leader of the pack, heads the class. A yogi and animal lover, Mueller began her animal-centric yoga practices alongside puppies and kittens. It wasn’t until 2016 that she partnered with Farkas and Barnyard Buddies to create their combined enterprise, Colorado Goat Yoga. 

“Janet has [fainting goat] babies every year, anywhere from 40 to 100 babies,” says Mueller. “She’s not breeding for milk or meat, which I think is important to the yoga community. She only breeds goats as pets and she is really true to the breeding lines and takes good care of all of our animals. I could instantly see that when I walked onto the farm and first met her.”

If you’re looking to see the kids, whether for a yoga class or an adoption, you must visit the farm. “We want to make sure we don’t travel with our goats,” says Mueller. They stay on the grounds, where they can safely roam their environments and stay close to their mothers. Those looking to adopt are required to visit regularly. “You need to establish your visitation rights,” says Farkas. “Those are your kids, and you need to build a relationship with them before they go home.”

The baby goats stay on the farm for eight weeks, until which they’re able to start their new lives. Farkas sends each goat off with care guides, registration papers and full vaccinations and spends time with new parents to teach them how to feed and best look after the little ones. 

In the meantime, they’re the stars of each yoga class, which are held during the summer and into the fall. 

“I love the joy that animals bring to yoga practice,” says Mueller. “I love that goat yoga is a wonderful combination of animal therapy and nature therapy. It’s a grounding experience accessible to all levels of yogis.”

“Our classes provide a wonderful environment especially if you are recently new to yoga or have never taken a class before,” she continues. “It’s an inviting space and the animals are a welcome distraction.” Anyone is welcome at Colorado Goat Yoga, from families and couples to bachelorette parties and company get-togethers. “The best class is when it’s filled with laughter from the baby goats jumping on everyone. After class, many first-time yogis say that they were surprised by how good their body felt after class or that they did more yoga than they thought they would.”

The yoga class is book ended with an educational segment from Farkas, who shares the quirks of the fainting goats and opens the floor for questions. “We really value all the animals we have at the farm and love to educate people about them,” says Mueller. “Janet is so knowledgeable and really loves to teach people about animals and farm life. She truly loves all of her animals and cares so well for them.”

Visitors to the farm are encouraged to immerse themselves in the tranquil surroundings, where the gentle presence of the fainting goats offers solace and companionship. Here, amidst the rustling leaves and contented murmurs of the animals, guests find a peaceful retreat to unwind and reconnect with nature.

“My time is for the people,” says Farkas. “It’s an opportunity to give somebody a better picture of the world. I can take as much time as people want. You had a bad day and you want to come and sit with a goat? Go in. Sit down. Don’t stick your fingers in their mouth. Get ready to pet, to hand-feed, to talk, to share, to sit in the shade, to hold. It’s very, very basic. It’s really all you need.”

Ultimately, Farkas and Mueller open their doors to a world often unseen. “Agriculture has diminished through the years and these young kids have no access to things like eggs,” says Farkas. “And without agriculture, none of us survive. So [Colorado Goat Yoga] is to put a slice of agriculture in your life. Life doesn’t change for the animals because society does. The animals stay the same.”

For your own slice of agriculture, visit coloradogoat.yoga to book a class and if you’re interested in adopting a goat, visit barnyardbuddies.com.