Does anyone know of a good websight on preparing for show? We have had goats a while but have just washed & trimmed them for our small fair. The kids ( mine & the goats ) have done well, but I think they could show a lot better with more information.

-- bergy (bbergbower@hotmail.com), June 26, 2002

Answers

If you are an ADGA member, they will allow you to rent a video on showing. The part where they clip the goat is very long and boring but quite thorough. The second section shows how to walk your goats in the ring, manuevers in the ring, and so on, ettiquite, etc.

A few tips off the top of my head:

• The goats should be trained to walk with a collar, calmly without balking or leaping through the air.
• They should then be taught to allow you to handle their rear legs and also the fore legs, to pick them leg up, place it back on the ground where it should be, and leave it there.
• The kids should be conditioned to being felt all over their body- ribs, belly, neck, head, etc. The judge will probably lift a rear leg to check for extra teats, if you prepare the goat for this it is less likely to freak ot at the show.
• The goat shoudl be posed as follows: rear legs (the lower part) perpendicular to the ground and with a decent amount of space between them when viewed from the rear, but not so far apart that the goat is off balance. Forelegs also perpendicular to the ground, and with a natural amount of space between them.
• If the rump is steep or the loin (back) isn't perfectly level and humps up a little, you can scratch the loin against the lay of the hair, apply some pressure but not so much that the doe squats. Scratching the loin also helps her to hold her pose. Do not scratch the chest or belly unless there is a saggy area in the back.
• Once the doe is posed, she should stand still for a minute or two. If she moves, pose her again or put the foot back where it shoudl be.
• When walking, hold the doe's head up high in the air, not high enough to make her gasp for air, but high enough to look stately and elegant.
• The showperson should dress in white, with closed toe shoes. If white pants are not used, the shirt at least should be white.
• Most important: Remember, you are not just there to win, you are there to show your goats to the public, to get the judge's opinion, and to learn more about goats and conformation. Be a good sport whether you win or lose. If you lose, congratulate the winner on their fine animal. If you win, find something nice to say about the loser's animal. Be courteous and respectful, and have fun!!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), June 30, 2002.

My kids are menbers, I'll have them check into the video. Thanks for the tips!

-- bergy (bbergbower@hotmail.com), June 30, 2002.