🐐Baby goat yoga near Orlando: What it’s really like at Wildflower Farm’s adorable dairy goat sanctuary

ORLANDO, Fla. – If your idea of yoga involves a quiet studio, dim lights and soft music, baby goat yoga at Wildflower Farm in east Orange County will flip that image on its head, in the best way.

At this working dairy goat farm, the stars of the show are the baby goats who share your mat, snack on your hair and occasionally turn your downward dog into a tiny climbing wall.

“My name is Rick Carlson. Farmer Rick. And I am co-founder, along with Linda, of Wildflower Farm…wildflower farm, we’re a goat farm. Dairy goat farm,” he said, standing just off the pasture pavilion where classes are held.

This is the farm’s 10th year hosting public events, and goat yoga has become one of its signature experiences.

“We started out we had goats. Somebody in Oregon came up with the idea of goat yoga, and so we ran with that,” Carlson said. “And it’s evolved over the years and started from pretty much nothing. And we’ve added new things each year and new animals…So now we have pigs and turkeys and chickens, along with the baby goats and the parent, the mama goats and daddy goats. So it’s become a labor of love, and we’re very blessed. We have people all over the world to come and support us. And we just love sharing the joy of the animals.”

Before class: meet the animals

When you arrive, Linda and Farmer Rick greet you and hand you a yoga mat. Before class even starts, you’re encouraged to wander the property, where pigs, chickens and goats move around the pastures.

It feels less like checking in for fitness and more like stepping into someone’s backyard farm, because you are.

“This is our life, pretty much,” Carlson said. “We, you know, our number one priority is making sure the animals are taken care of. Number two is making sure people have fun.”

The baby goat stampede

Class takes place under a covered pavilion next to the pasture. Once everyone finds a spot, the real reason you’re here comes running.

“Goat yoga is a great practice,” Carlson said. “You know, you come in, you’re in the moment. The goats come out. You feed them a bottle. And then they’re pretty much roaming around while you do yoga, and they’ll jump on your back. We’ll try to actually coax them on your back with some leaves and stuff like that. And it becomes…really kind of fun. In the, you know, as the goats get older and they progress, it becomes a little wild and chaotic at times. But we love it. People love it. And it’s wonderful to hear people’s laugh and the joy that it brings people.”

Each participant gets a warm bottle to feed one of the “kids” before moving into the first pose. From there, the goats roam freely, weaving between mats, bleating, nibbling and occasionally using guests as springboards.

On my visit, there was a lot of goat loving and a little yoga — even though it probably should have been the other way around. One baby goat decided my hair was a snack. Another climbed along my back in tabletop pose. Toward the end of class, a 6-day-old kid curled up and fell asleep right next to my mat. It was hard to keep going because I didn’t want to disturb her.

Is it actually yoga?

Yes, there is real yoga here. Classes last about an hour and are led by certified instructors.

“We have a number of yoga instructors are all certified to teach yoga,” Carlson said. “And we they’re all wonderful teachers. Each one is a little bit different, has their own spin on things, but they all center things around the baby goats and make sure that our customers get the maximum amount of joy.”

You’ll move through basic poses, stretch and breathe, but you’ll also pause for photos, laughs and surprise goat visits. If you’re new to yoga, it’s an easy, low-pressure way to try it. If you’re a serious yogi, you’ll need to let go of perfection — there will be hooves on your mat.

Animal care and ‘therapeutic’ goats

With any animal-based attraction, there are always questions about welfare. Carlson said the farm builds everything around the goats’ well-being.

“We make sure that the goats are healthy and ready to go, and they don’t get overwhelmed, or overworked,” he said.

And while it may look like a novelty, the emotional bond is real.

“You know, the goats are therapeutic,” Carlson said. “And goats are very therapeutic. People actually warm right up to them, and they warm up the people too. So that’s why it seems like they’re very, like, person…Oh they are. Yes.”

During my class, that felt true. People who walked in a little shy were giggling within minutes, crouched down on the mats to cuddle with their new four-legged friends.

More than just yoga: ‘baby goat forward’ events

Goat yoga isn’t the only way to get time with the animals at Wildflower Farm. The farm offers several “baby goat forward” events built around interaction.

“Pretty much all of our events are centered around the baby goats,” Carlson said. “You feed them a bottle, you feed them some greens, you interact with them, you cuddle with them. And then we do a tour of the rest of the animals on the farm. We got fresh squeezed lemonade for you up front and all kinds of good crafts and merchandise that we sell as well.”

Some of the options include:

• Family Time on the Farm – A family-friendly visit focused on feeding and cuddling baby goats, plus a tour of the other animals.
• Party in the Pasture – A special event that Carlson calls their most popular, pairing baby goats with a more social, party-like atmosphere.
• Fables on the Farm – A story time experience geared toward kids, combining reading with goat interaction.

Reservations for all events, including yoga, are made online.

“All of our reservations are made online,” Carlson said. “Wildflower farm orlando dot com. We have other events besides baby goat yoga. Family Time on the Farm is a very popular event. Party in the Pasture is probably our most popular event. And then we also have geared things towards kids, too, with Fables on the Farm with a storytime.”

The farm is open midweek and on weekends, with private celebrations available.

“We’re on Instagram,” Carlson said. “Wildflower Farm Orlando dot com is our website. You can make all the reservations there. And we’re open Wednesdays we do a big day and then Saturday and Sunday. Obviously we do birthday parties as well.”

Should you try baby goat yoga?

If you’re expecting a silent, meditative practice, this probably isn’t it. But if you’re open to a low-key, slightly chaotic and very joyful experience, baby goat yoga at Wildflower Farm is hard to beat.

For me, it was wild and a ton of fun. There was a lot of goat loving going on and a little yoga. I walked away with hay on my clothes, goat hair on my mat and a camera roll full of photos.

It’s the kind of experience that feels just right for Central Florida — quirky, outdoorsy and unexpectedly heartwarming. And whether you’re a yoga lover or someone who just wants to cuddle baby goats, it’s an easy recommendation.