First goat show!

[dianneS]

I just agreed to show my two fainting goats at a local show. They didn't have enough entries so I agreed to participate just to help them out so that the show wouldn't be cancelled.

My wethers are just one year old and they don't have much experience walking on a lead, but I have two weeks to work on it. They are pretty calm and compliant most of the time.

What else do I need to know before showing? I'm kind of freaking out right now!

 

[20kidsonhill]

Not sure how much experience you have or exactly what advice you are asking for, but here are some basics.

Fly spray is helpful for show day.



Get them out and around the yard to expose them to different things, like vehicles ect... A lot of times they will listen better in the show ring than they listen in the yard at home, as long as you have been practicing at home. My son was constantly getting pulled done by a 4 month old doelling. We kept practicing every day, with me along side to keep her under control and come show day she listened perfectly to him.

The key to them not moving around as you are setting them up is keeping your hand that is holding the collar stationary directly above their head with light pressure on it. So when you bend over to set a leg in position your hand that is holding the collar should be a solid post not moving. The kids and I refer to it as "The Post" Put pressure on the collar upwards towards the sky, not back as you are setting the legs in place. Once in place, if they don't stand really well, use your free hand to lightly support the chin , while the other hand "the post hand" keeps easy pressure up towards the sky.

Don't crowd the goat while you are showing, keeping it from your body so the judge can get a good view. Keep your body on the opposite side from the judge so he can always see your animal. Move slowly and easy, don't need to feel rushed.

use simple quiet commands, like a clicking sound to signal walk and a "woo" sounds(lilke for a horse) to signal stop.

 

[dianneS]

I'm trying to decide if I should show both of my myotonic goats or just the one? One boy is naturally polled. The other one was disbudded, but his horns continued to grow. I wouldn't say they are unsightly scurs, just short, fat horns about 4 inches long. Would this be a problem?

The rule book also said the goats should be "trimmed but not shaved"? I'm not sure what that means exactly?