Talk:Judas goat

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It was my understanding that a Judas Goat was needed to lead livestock into the slaughterhouse because the animals could smell blood and would shy away from it. Seeing another animal go into the area of apparent danger, however, would calm them and make them think it was safe to follow. The Judas Goat is specially trained or conditioned to overcome its natural aversion to the smell of blood. If this is true, it should be included, as it is important, but I am no farmer or rancher so I cannot vouch for its veracity. 165.91.65.126 (talk)RKH —Preceding comment was added at 22:21, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

I thought the term "Judas goat" predated transmitters and referred to a goat trained to lead sheep to slaughter.--Myron 15:40, 1 Feb 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Context?

I removed the following line from the article:

A 'Judas Goat' is also a person used to go first to test for a safe route.

I've never hear of this, so if it should be replaced, please indicate context, e.g. "In US military slang, ..." or "In Boy Scout jargon ..." or whatever. --Slashme 07:08, 10 October 2006 (UTC)

Why is it spelled "goatse"? Is that a mistake?