Showing - how to start?

[Rechellef]

I have three LaManchas who's ADGA registrations are pending. I have two doelings - one is 3 months old, one 4 months old and my buckling is will be 5 months old the end of June. The breeder never tattooed them, but I don't plan on going to any hard core shows. I just want to get them out to a couple of shows this summer if I can and want to know where to start as this is my first time showing goats (done lots of horse shows, but never a caprine show).

[southerngurl]

Ive never showed but you can tatoo them yourself.

[bcadybug]

I believe that even little local shows will require identification of your goats, either by way of tattoo or ear-tag. CVI (Certification of Veterinary Inspection) which are required for any show in our area also require either a tattoo or tag before the Vet will sign-off on it. Tattooing isn't hard as stated by southerngurl, so you might wanna check in to ordering one.

I myself have never shown our goats, my daughter is the 4Her and she gets all the ring time.

Lots of veteran showman on this forum so I'm sure you'll get great advice on how to get started!

Val

[coso]

Just go hang out at a couple and watch. You can learn the feel of what goes on, and what is expected. If you win GCH or RGCH and don't have a tattoo you will not get the leg, if it is a ADGA sanctioned show. You have to have papers in hand or a stamped duplicate before you can show. Read the ADGA Guidebook(in the show part) that will help explain a lot. Go for it. We have fun !!!!! Going tomorrow to one !!!

[Rechellef]

Originally Posted by southerngurl

Ive never showed but you can tatoo them yourself.

How can I tattoo the webs of my goats' tails as they are LaManchas?

[coso]

You use tattoo pliers just like you do for the ears. Put the right tattoo digits in. Squeeze plier, listen to goat scream for a second. Rub the ink into the tattoo with an old toothbrush. Press some corn starch on it. Wallah you have a tattoo. http://www.avolinofarm.com/tattoosupplies.htm

[saanengirl]

If you don't have the papers back, you can request a stamped duplicate of the application from ADGA. Kids can show on a stamped duplicate until they are six months old. There is a small fee for the stamped duplicate, but it is reasonably priced.

You must tattoo before you show, regardless of the show size. Others have given good instructions for tattooing, so since I don't have LaManchas, I won't comment further.

[LoneStrChic23]

Originally Posted by coso

You use tattoo pliers just like you do for the ears. Put the right tattoo digits in. Squeeze plier, listen to goat scream for a second. Rub the ink into the tattoo with an old toothbrush. Press some corn starch on it. Wallah you have a tattoo. http://www.avolinofarm.com/tattoosupplies.htm

Slight thread drift, but what is the purpose of the corn starch?

I got my 1st tattoo lesson when I picked up my Lamancha, Tonka. She waited for me to pick him up to tattoo since I had never done it. She clamped, rubbed ink in & grabbed a handful of baking soda, popped it on there and made sure the tattoo was well covered in baking soda. Said it supposidly made the tattoo brighter...

[coso]

and made sure the tattoo was well covered in baking soda.

Corn Starch is supposed to do the same thing. Help set the tattoo. Just what I have heard. Done it both ways.

[Rechellef]

I guess my last question would be - does the ink show up on black skin? I have one black LaMancha and was wondering how it would show up on her tail web?

[coso]

Use green ink and it will.

[LoneStrChic23]

Thanks Coso.....was just curious

My Lamancha had pink skin & his tattoo is highly visible with the green ink.

My Alpine has dark ears & though he's not very old his are hard to read. If you put a flashlight behind his ears it's easier to see though.....My Alpine doe is tattooed in green ink as well (dark ears) but even with a flashlight you can only see part of it & the parts you can see aren't legible.