2024-2025 Sheep Showing

[Margali]

So I altered the other halter we had to be same as the "total control" halters the Dorper kids had. With added squishy bike handle grip since Cassandra said flat web was cutting into her hand. We got thru 5min training session without a single "It hurts".

Not sure if we are doing better or worse on bracing Oreo. We've started practicing nose against fence. Oreo stands with her front legs close together. Cassandra can't coordinate reaching down to adjust so need to figure different method for placing front feet.
Warning Loud baby sheep next to camera!

 

[Show Sebright]

So I altered the other halter we had to be same as the "total control" halters the Dorper kids had. With added squishy bike handle grip since Cassandra said flat web was cutting into her hand. We got thru 5min training session without a single "It hurts".
View attachment 108945
Not sure if we are doing better or worse on bracing Oreo. We've started practicing nose against fence. Oreo stands with her front legs close together. Cassandra can't coordinate reaching down to adjust so need to figure different method for placing front feet.
Warning Loud baby sheep next to camera!

If your having issues with bracing her try to find a high spot that has a steep drop. Like off a stand or truck bed. Get you or another adult to be behind the drop to pick them up if (when) they fall. The just back them up and let them learn. As soon as you feel pressure against you stop pushing. Once she is good up high bring her down and do the same thing. Then start add time. Can she get 5 seconds? Maybe even 30?
I have realized with the sheep and goats that the quickest and best reward is a release in pressure.

Another tactic that worked on my first lamb. He trusted me too much and would always fall. That was untill in got lower and pushed my leg under where his neck ended. So it’s a small spot right at their chest floor. That might help her find her comfortable position. I don’t have a lamb to show you but this is on past lambs. I’m tall so it looks weird but to give you an idea.

To help the get comfortable maybe hold the lambs halter and let her position her self and figure out what works. It’s no fun being knocked down by you lamb because you weren’t balanced

 

[Baymule]

Cassandra is so petite and she struggles with pushing Oreo around, but Oreo is very calm and patient. Y’all have done a great job with Oreo and she keeps getting better.

 

[Ridgetop]

She needs to practice walking her into the position. Watch a video on u-tube about setting up a calf or steer. The shower has to use either a show stick or their boot toes to get the calf's feet into position. If Oreo pushes too far ahead have Cassandra walk her out in a circle and back into position. The circle can't be too tight or Oreo will look unbalanced. Stop sooner than you want her to be and let her move her feet slowly into position. Step on the inside of the hoof lightly to cause Oreo to move her leg out.

If your having issues with bracing her try to find a high spot that has a steep drop. Like off a stand or truck bed. Get you or another adult to be behind the drop to pick them up if (when) they fall. The just back them up and let them learn. As soon as you feel pressure against you stop pushing.

Absolutely do this starting with the youngest lambs. Put a piece of scrap carpet on the fitting stand or a table and pose the lambs when they are small. If the lambs learn when they are small to pose, then she will not have such a fight when they are grown.

I suggest that she start using Oreo's lamb as her showmanship sheep. She will be able to train the lamb while it is young and have better control since the lamb will not be able to overpower her. Small girl with small sheep in the ring will look more in proportion. In a few years when she is older and has more experience, she will have no trouble taking a large, even untrained, lamb into the ring.

 

[Margali]

Cassandra may not be able to show baby Socks this year in breeding shows. The corrected registration is still in transit and validation is the 26th. At what age do you start halter and bracing training? Socks hasn't hit 2 months old yet.

Cassandra practiced with Oreo last night and it went better. I got extra practice from her as she "taught" her big brother how to do it right.

 

[Show Sebright]

Cassandra may not be able to show baby Socks this year in breeding shows. The corrected registration is still in transit and validation is the 26th. At what age do you start halter and bracing training? Socks hasn't hit 2 months old yet.

Cassandra practiced with Oreo last night and it went better. I got extra practice from her as she "taught" her big brother how to do it right.

I would say you can start training now. Put a halter on Socks and just sit on a bucket. This helps them learn that if they chill out they get scratches and pets. Ince your good in a halter I would start bracing.

 

[Ridgetop]

Absolutely start right now. The younger the animal the faster it will learn and at Socks' age Cassandra is big enough to move her around on her own without being dragged. Halter break her and start stacking her up and making her stand still. When my children were showing their dairy goats, they could show kids as young as 2 months old in the shows. Their favorite showmanship animals were the ones that they trained as young kids and lambs. When the lambs are grown up, they will know to stand in position without much adjustment and will learn to keep their feet where Cassandra places them.

 

[Margali]

Hmm... I have questions after reading the ethics statement for 4-Hers.
Exhibitors must continuously own and personally feed and care for their animal(s) throughout the entire feeding period. The feeding period begins with the specie validation date through exhibition at all shows. Prior approval must be granted by the specie specific county State Validation Committee in the event the animal will be outside the direct care of the exhibitor.

1) Does this mean I will mess her up if I do morning feed and some evening feeds? Morning is a quick water check and grain ration into shared nursing ewe pen. She does evening feed with supervision unless I don't get to evening chores until after bedtime.

2) I see nothing about training. Does this mean I can work with Oreo on leading and bracing as well? Best so far is me walking a couple of fast laps with Oreo to settle her then Cassandra practicing.

Obviously, I will ask Ag Agent but wanted other peoples opinions too.

 

[Mini Horses]

I doubt seriously that these youngsters don't have occasional help/training for chores. Even though it IS BEING done by exhibitor 95% of time. It's not discussed with those grading.

 

[BrahmerQueen]

I doubt seriously that these youngsters don't have occasional help/training for chores. Even though it IS BEING done by exhibitor 95% of time. It's not discussed with those grading.

Agreed