Equipment
To feed and exhibit a club goat properly, you should have the following equipment:
- stiff brush to clean water troughs ,goats feet ,horns etc
- shovel to clean pens
- small animal grooming clippers
- goat blankets and/or socks (optional)
- collars, and/or show chains
- hoof trimmers
- small portable feed troughs
- soft brush for grooming
- water bucket
- extension cords
- clippers
- shampoo
- stanchion
- goat feed
- hay
- scissors
- goat bedding if not provided
You may want this equipment if you are exhibiting several goats at the state fair
- show box to hold equipment
- hot air blower or dryer
- electric fans
Training your Goat to lead
The amount of time required to train a goat to show depends on several things: the goat, physical size and experience, and the amount of time training. Some goats are easy to gentle and learn how to show quickly, while other goats are more difficult and nearly impossible to train. However, most goats can be trained provided enough time and effort is spent with them. A collar is used on goats for showing and training to lead. I recommend raisins to treat your goat and help with the training.
After the goat begins to gentle down, the exhibitor can start teaching him to lead. Use the collar or halter to keep the goats head up while you teach him to lead. It is important that you have someone to assist you by pushing the goat from behind whenever he stops. This prevents the goat from learning a bad habit and keeps you from dragging the goat. Teach the goat to lead with its front shoulder even with your leg. The goats head should be out in front of your body and held up in a natural position. Practice this several times until you and the goat are comfortable with each other. You are going to want the goat to be happy and willing in the ring.
The next step in the training process is for the exhibitor to properly set the goat up. Set the front legs up first and then place the hind legs, all four feet are at the corners of the body and the weight is distributed evenly to all four legs keeping the body and neck straight and the head up and alert by using the collar. Do not stretch your goat out or brace him. Bracing is against the rules in goat rings. Also do not raise his front feet off the ground as is frequently done in sheep shows. This also is against the rules and will get you a SURE fired last place.
Practice these procedures at least three times a week and you will have a well trained goat by fair time. It will show in the ring!
Entering the Show Ring
1 Make sure your goat is clean and ready to show.
2 Dress in clean wrinkle free clothes, check with your 4H group about the dress code. Exhibitors should not wear hats or caps in the show ring
3 Use a chain collar to show your goat
4 Walk slowly into the ring and do not crowd the goat in front of you. Leave approximately the distance of another goat between you and the exhibitor in front of you.
5 Watch and smile at the judge at all times. He or she will tell you what to do and may ask you questions about your goat.
6 Keep your goat between you and the judge. This allows the judge to have a good view of your goat at all times
7 Wear leather footwear (no flip-flops or sandals)
In the Ring Etiquette
1 Keep proper spacing between you and the next exhibitor. Your goat
should not be able to touch any other goat at any given time.
2. Don’t talk in the ring to other exhibitors.
3 Don‘t speak to the judge unless the judge asks you a question.
4. Be conscious of the judge’s whereabouts at all times in case he signals
you to move your goat.
5. Show your goat the entire time you are in the ring. Don’t stop until the
class is dismissed.
6. Smile. You are supposed to be having fun.
Ring Protocol
1. Enter the ring to your left and circle in a clockwise direction. Walk slowly. If
your goat stops to urinate, let him/her, but move again the moment she is
finished. Keep the distance of one goat between you and the goat in front
of you.
2. Make sure that your goat is between you and the judge at all times. When
you approach the judge, and you are about to block his view of the animal,
change sides by going in front of the goat to the opposite side.
3. Set the goat up quickly. Try to set him up and hold him in place. While you
should continue to make sure that he is in his best position, don’t fuss
too much. If you continue to poke and prod, the goat will get antsy and it
will become impossible to show him in the best light.
4. Know your goat’s birth date and freshening date if it is a female
5. When you are in the side by side lineup, the judge will inspect each animal
one at a time. When the judge examines your goat, keep a firm hold on the
collar with your left hand and put your right hand on the opposite side of
the goat’s shoulders while you press your thigh into the goats’
chest/shoulder area to keep her from moving around.
6 When you are in a head to tail lineup and the judge asks you to move up
or down the line, you move by walking between the line and the judge.
Show Time
You will circle the ring (slowly) one or two times and then the judge will direct you to stop. This is when you proceed to set your goat up. Remember to keep one eye on the judge and one on the goat at all times and smile.
To set up, face the goats’ side with your body and hold the head up with your right hand on the collar and your left hand over the head and underneath the jaw. Both hands should be used to show your goat. The left hand NEVER is placed behind you back, in your pocket or just hanging idle while the goat is set up. Set him up quickly and then stop and smile, the judge is watching. The exhibitor should remain standing at all times. Do not squat or kneel.
Never place your hand on the goat's back or the base of the neck, because this will hide the judge's view of the goat's top.
Place your leg in front of the goat, and stay in front while the judge is viewing the goat from the rear. As the judge moves around the right side and to the front of the goat, remain on the left side and then face the judge and step to the side to provide a front view of the goat. As the judge moves to the left of the goat, move back to the front of the goat to give the judge a full view of the entire animal. Always cross in FRONT of the goat NEVER behind the goat, when moving, to provide the judge with a full view of your animal
When the judge comes in to handle the goat, be prepared with your leg in front of the goat to keep it from jumping forward, and hold the head straight in line. Do not brace the goat as you would a lamb. This will only tend to make the goat lower the rump and be less desirable in appearance. In most rings it is against the rules to brace or raise the goats’ front off the ground
As a good showman you must be alert and know where the judge is at all times. Remain calm and concentrate on showing. If your goat should slip his collar or escape from your hold still remain calm and collected. Simply go and retrieve him and find your place back in line .Don’t panic. If this should happen the judge is watching and he will remember if you were cool and collected like a showman should be .He will also remember if you panicked and appeared to not know how to collect a stray goat. Smile as if you are enjoying yourself and are happy to be in the ring. Set up your goat and be ready before the judge gets to you. Be careful not to cover your goat with your body and block the judge's view. Always keep your goat between you and the judge. Always have one eye on the judge even when he/she isn’t looking at you.
After the judge handles your goat, he will usually step back and look at him. Be sure to keep his head up and body, neck, and head in a straight line. Keep one eye on the judge and one eye on the goat. It is your responsibility to watch the judge and not miss a decision.
If your goat does not get pulled for class placing the first time, don't give up. Continue to keep him set up, remain alert, and keep one eye on the judge. If your goat gets pulled, circle him out of the line and follow the directions of the ring steward, making sure to continue to keep an eye on the judge. Move your goat with style and at a steady, moderate pace.
Remember to keep showing at all times. The class is not over until the ribbons are passed out. Always be a good sport and shake the hand of the class winner. Hopefully it will be you. Be a humble winner and a graceful loser.
End of Show Etiquette
1. Pick up your trash and place it in a dumpster.
2. Dump your water buckets in the drain; don’t make mud for the next guy.
3. Clean your pens or pay the appropriate fees before you leave.
4. Thank the judge and show committee for providing the show.
5. And Most Importantly – Be a Good Sport. Even if you are upset and feel
that you were judged unfairly, keep it to yourself. Wait until you are back in
the privacy of your own vehicle and on the way home to gripe about the
day.
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