Pygmy Goat Showmanship

[lunalover]

Hi there everyone! New here and so happy to be here!

I procrastinated and now I have a goat showmanship show coming up in 3 days. I just got my first pygmy goat in March, and she is only 7 months old. I've done dairy goat showmanship for 2 years and I know the basics, setting up and such, but does anyone have any advice for a beginner? I've tried teaching her to walk on a lead and she pulls against it all the time. I think she's in the goat version of terrible twos. What should I know and what will a judge ask me?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I showed pygmy goats for many years - but stayed away from showmanship as much as possible, lol. However I did compete in a few and actually got a ribbon or three, lol. But, I haven't done it in a very long time - and my daughter was much better than me, lol. A few things that come to mind:

Your goat must be clean, and feet trimmed. Pygmy goats are shown with full body hair, but a clipping of the ears, escutcheon and a little clean up down toward the hocks (especially if your goat "hocks in" a little) looks more professional. If you've never done the trim - please ask an experienced show person to help you. Most breeders are happy to help you succeed.

Know the parts of your goat. I got asked to "name three parts of your goat that start with "C" about a zillion times. The smart-butt answer was, crown, chine and connective tissue, lol. (don't do that - really, lol) More acceptable are crown, chest, chine, crops, cannon bone.

Some judges are more tolerant than others with goats that pitch a fit when leading, but if you delay the show too much you might get dinged and the judge won't get a good look at your goat.

Have someone take pictures of you practicing setting up your goat before the show. Set the goat up square - never stretched. The pictures will help you see how you have the goat set up. Or have an experienced person watch you and give you pointers

Don't get between your goat and the judge...learn the "crossover" when going around in a circle when the judge steps either inside or outside the circle. Never cross behind your goat - always in front.

Know how your goat tracks from behind. If your goat has a tendency to swing his back legs out or in lead very slowly when the judge asks you to walk away from them.

Do you have a copy of the showmanship manual? I'll include a link that gives some pointers.

There are probably a dozen things that I've forgotten...

http://www.npga-pygmy.com/resources/conformation/scorecard_showmanship.asp

Good luck!!

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome to BYH from NE TX! So glad you joined us. The person I was going to "tag" for you responded above Good luck with your show! There's a wealth of info, knowledge and experience shared in the multitude of threads. Browse around and see what interesting stuff you can find. By all means post away when the desire strikes you, especially if you have questions (provide as much detail/info as possible and pictures truly help)... With all the great folks here, generally someone will respond in no time at all. Please make yourself at home!

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