Showing for the first time!

Goat people ARE great! I know. Thanks all! Keep those tips and experiences coming. I am learning A LOT!

I have never shown goats but do dogs, and the most solid peice of advice I can give, is go, dont expect to win and just have fun, if you do win thats great, but dont put that pressure on yourself or neither of you will like it. It will take 3 or 4 shows for you to feel comfortable.
Watch others and what they are doing when you get there, and even after you are done in the ring if their is other shows or breeds.

Thanks! That is good advice. I am not expecting to win. But if I do... :banana02: !

A few more bits...

Judges don't expect junior does to lead and set up perfectly. Many, many junior does get stupid at a show and spend their ring time running on their hind legs, or lying down while screaming. Most judges can judge vertical kids as well as horizontal ones. It's EASIER to judge the horizontal ones, but goats are goats.

Listen to the judge's reasons. Unlike dog & horse shows, the judge will announce the reasons she made her placings, based on the ADGA scorecard. Look up the line and see what she's talking about (or grin at the head of the line).

Caprine Supply & Hoegger's both sell a great book, "Dairy Goat Judging Techniques". It includes a well illustrated chapter on showmanship, and plenty of judging so you can pick your best animals for the show.

When setting up a kid, set the hind feet first, then the fore feet. The hocks should be right below the pin bones, with a straight line down the back of the hind leg. A good way to set up a kid is to place your hand where the udder will be, lift up her rump slightly, and drop her. Place her front legs so her hooves are directly below her withers and then stretch her neck up by letting her suck your finger, or see a Pritchard nipple concealed in your hand. (Or the aforementioned vanilla trick- I'm stealing that!)

If the kid wants to roach her back, tap her back right in front of the hip bones to make her level out. It's mostly does in milk that will do this, though.

AnnaS -Wow! Thank you! That helps more than you know!

Gosh darn now you guys made me want to show goats too.

__________________
He who thinks he knows, doesn't. He who knows he doesn't know, knows.~ Joseph Campbell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeMrK...AE7062ADE5A19C

Hee hee I think it is a disease... a very contagious one.

Thought of a couple other things, as I'm figuring out our show schedule for the summer...

This is how I teach kids to lead. I take them to an isolated campground near the house and practice leading. If they pull back or rear, I drop their collar and walk off. They quickly learn that they have to stick with me in a strange place or they'll be lost.

Goats should be led sloooooowly, with the head up. Think of a bride stepping up the aisle, instead of the dog/horse show gait of a brisk trot.

Here comes the milk, Here comes the cheese, Here comes the yogurt will you pass some to me? OH SORRY! was I sing that out loud?

__________________
He who thinks he knows, doesn't. He who knows he doesn't know, knows.~ Joseph Campbell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeMrK...AE7062ADE5A19C

LOL Nice wedding march there Tailwaggin.