About

The Full Story

The Arkansas Traveling Goat Farrier:

A Journey of Passion and Hooves

In the heart of rural Arkansas, in the quiet tiny town of Delight (pop. 284), a woman with a passion for animals is making big waves. Meet Amanda Goodwin, the driving force behind The Arkansas Traveling Goat Farrier, a unique business that takes her on the road across the state—and beyond—providing expert care to goats and sheep in areas where help is hard to come by.

For Amanda, this isn’t just a job; it’s a calling. Alongside her husband, Lee Goodwin, she travels miles each week to trim hooves, disbud horns, give ultrasounds, and offer hands-on advice to livestock owners. Whether it’s a simple hoof trim or more advanced care, Amanda’s goal is simple: to help owners give their animals the best life possible.

Amanda’s journey to becoming a traveling farrier wasn’t a straight line. Growing up in the town of Mt Ida, she didn’t come from a farm background, but there was always something about animals that called to her. At 11, she found herself working on a local dairy farm, and it was there, surrounded by goats, cows, and the rhythms of farm life, that she found her true calling. She joined 4H, learning the ropes of farm life and animal care.

Though life took her in a different direction for a time, raising a family in central Arkansas, Amanda never forgot her love for livestock. In 2011, she returned to the world of farming, starting Goodwin Family Farms with a small herd of dairy goats. Her daughters began raising and showing market goats and sheep competively, and the farm grew from there.

Then, in 2020, the pandemic hit—and Amanda found herself at a crossroads. Her day job vanished, but rather than being discouraged, she saw an opportunity to turn her passion into a full-time business. With decades of experience working with animals, she launched The Arkansas Traveling Goat Farrier. And every week, Amanda and her husband travels hundreds of miles to trim hooves, pull blood, disbud horns, perform ultrasounds, administer medications, and educate owners.

“We travel all over Arkansas, parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri taking care of herds,” Amanda explained. “We not only educate others on how to care for their livestock but we offer several other services that help the individual goat and sheep owners, especially since most areas are very rural and no vet care around.”

What sets Amanda apart is not just her expertise—it’s the care and compassion she brings to every job. She’s not just there to trim hooves; she’s there to teach. She educates owners on the ins and outs of livestock care, empowering them with knowledge they might not otherwise have access to in these rural areas.

For Amanda, it’s about building relationships with her clients. “Most of our customers are women,” she says, “and they feel comfortable with me because I understand the challenges they face in caring for their animals. I’m here not only to help their goats and sheep but to support them as well.”

Her advice to women wanting to break into agriculture is simple: “Have the courage to tackle whatever life throws at you.” Amanda’s story is proof that, with a little determination and a lot of heart, you can find success—even in the most unexpected places.

When she’s not out on the road, Amanda can be found relaxing at home with her dairy goats or spending time with her grandkids. But for her, there’s always another call to answer, another goat to care for. She’s proud of the work she does, and the difference she makes in the lives of the animals—and the people—she helps.

If you’re in need of hoof care for your goats or sheep, or if you simply want to learn more about Amanda’s journey, you can follow The Arkansas Traveling Goat Farrier on Facebook and Instagram @arkansastravelinggoatfarrier, or visit www.goodwinfamilyfarms.com. And if you need a hoof trim or some expert advice, Amanda’s just a phone call away at (870) 279-1775.