A 2 x 3.5 ft goat stand at 20 in with a head catch at one end, from 2x4s and a plywood platform.
Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
24 x 40 inPlatform
20 inHeight
4 inHead gap
2 to 4 hrBuild time
$101.77Materials
Drawings All dimensions in inches
3D viewfinishedFront elevationRight elevationPlan viewfrom above
Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted
Qty
Stock
Length
Part
Cut
1
2x4
37
Rail left
on edge
1
2x4
37
Rail right
on edge
2
2x4
36
Head post
on edge, bolted to the rail
1
2x4
24
Rail front
on edge
1
2x4
24
Rail back
on edge
1
2x4
21
Brace
on edge
4
2x4
15 3/4
Leg
1
2x4
15
Head catch
front board, bolted to the posts
Cut list: sheet goods
Part
Stock
Size
Note
Platform
3/4 ply
24 x 40
cut to 24 x 40
Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim
2x4 x 10 ft
Rail left 37Rail right 37Rail front 24Brace 21
2x4 x 8 ft
Head post 1 36Rail back 24Leg 1 15 3/4Leg 2 15 3/4
2x4 x 8 ft
Head post 2 36Leg 3 15 3/4Leg 4 15 3/4Head catch 15
Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out
Sheet 1: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Shopping list $101.77 checked / $0.00 estimated
Item
Store
Qty
Each
Line
Note
2x4x10 stud, SPF
Home Depot
1
$5.46
$5.46
see lumber cutting diagram
2x4x8 stud, SPF
Home Depot
2
$4.15
$8.30
see lumber cutting diagram
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheet
Lowe's
1
$46.57
$46.57
see sheet cutting diagrams
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb box
Home Depot
1
$29.97
$29.97
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 1 lb box
Home Depot
1
$11.47
$11.47
Total before tax
$101.77
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.
Build steps
Cut the legs, rails and brace from 2x4s. Screw the rails to the legs, then the brace in the middle, to make a 24 x 40 in frame.
Screw the plywood platform to the rails every 8 in and sand the edges.
Screw the two head posts to the outside of the rear rail with their 3.5 in faces forward, 4 in apart.
Screw the cross board across the front of the posts at head height. Drill one hole at the top of each post for a pin so the goat's head can be held still.
Add a bucket of grain on a hook at the front to keep the goat busy.
Before you start
Leave the 4 in gap wide enough for a neck but not a head. A goat that has its head in the catch stands quietly for a few minutes.
At 20 in high, the stand lets you trim at waist height. Raise the legs 6 in for tall breeds.
Never leave a goat in the catch alone. If a goat panics, it can hurt its neck.
Draft drawings generated from the model. Build one before selling this plan.