So, you’ve decided you want to get into the competitive world of showing goats?
If so, you’re not alone. Many goat enthusiasts, once they establish their herd, want to share the quality of their herd with others by competing at goat shows.
But before you head off to the goat show, you’ll need to have certain supplies to give you an advantage. This guide will walk you through the supplies you’ll need to have success at the goat shows you attend.
Table of contents
Goat Show Halter
It seems so simple, but a good halter can make a huge difference when you show your goat.
The Weaver Leather Brahma Webb Goat Halter can be a huge asset to you in the show ring. This beautifully made halter adjusts easily so that you can fit it to multiple goats correctly and also comes in 2 sizes that you can fit on pygmy goats and standard size goats.
Even the price tag on it is great on the pocketbook. At $29 you can buy this halter with plenty of money left over for other show supplies that you will need.
How to Make a Rope Goat Halter
A homemade goat halter is a very cost-effective tool to train your goats with, as well as saving your show halters from unnecessary wear and tear from every day use. They are straight forward and simple to make as long as you have some rope and a knowledge of knots.
OSU Large Animal Techniques has a great DIY halter video tutorial on making your own halter. Or you can use the pamphlet, How to Make a Rope Halter by the Oregon State University Extension Office, to make your rope halter.
Making your own goat halters will save you money and lengthen the life of your show halters.
How to Make a Rope Goat Halter
Haltering a goat should be easy, shouldn’t it?
For the most part it is. The first thing you need to make sure of is that the halter is going to fit your goat. Once you have determined that it will fit your goat, you will want to put your lead rope over the goat’s neck so it cannot get away. Next you will slip its nose into the noseband and slide the ear band over its ears. Now your goat is haltered and you are ready to go.
Halter Training Your Goat
Wait, your goat is not halter broke? Join the club! In that case, you will need to start from the beginning and halter train your goat.
To start halter training your goat you will need to get them haltered. Once the goat is haltered you will start applying pressure to the lead rope by gently pulling. Keep pulling gently until your goat gives to the pressure by taking a step. After they have taken a step, release the pressure on the rope. Continue this process a couple times while reassuring your goat.
The next thing you are going to do is lead your goat next to you while you walk. Your goat may jump and call out, but don’t worry, keep reassuring your goat and leading it next to you as you walk.
Spending time walking your goat each day will pay off in the end with a halter broke goat.
Goat Collar and Lead
Goats are not dogs, but they can benefit from a collar and lead like a dog can. Using a goat collar can be another way that you save your show halters from overuse and keep track of your different goats.
One good goat collar is the Weaver Leather Webb Goat Collar that only costs $15 and is easily adjustable for multiple goat sizes.
A good lead that you can use with the collar is the Weaver Leather Goat Loop. This lead comes in at $7 and will enable you to have more control of your goat.
Goat Trailer
How are you going to get your goat to the goat show? Walking is always an option, but oh so impractical. This is where goat trailers come into play. Instead of getting your car or truck dirty, you can safely load your goat into their own space to travel in. Make sure it is stocked with the proper transport supplies.
Used Goat Trailers
The most cost-effective way to buy a goat trailer is to buy a used one. However, you will need to make sure that it is safe before you put your goats in.
Some of the things to check are the floorboards, the trailer lights, the trailer brakes, the trailer tires and the bearings.
Once all of these things check out compare the price to others in your area to make sure you are getting a fair deal. If all of these things check out you may be heading down the road in your “new-to-you” goat trailer.
Goat Livestock Trailer
If you want a new goat trailer and you have a larger herd, then you may want to consider a goat livestock trailer. These come in many options and are often one of the most affordable ones on the market and are very often aluminum.
You can buy a trailer specifically for goats, or a standard livestock trailer. The goat livestock trailer may cost less, but will limit you down the road if you get bigger livestock like cows.
Homemade Goat Trailer
Now, if you want to be even more economical, you can try your hand at making your own goat trailer.
Wheelers Way has a great DIY Goat Trailer Video that walks you through one way of building a goat trailer. This homemade trailer can potentially save you a ton of money, but does not protect your goats from the elements as well as a new or used goat trailer would.
Small Goat Trailer
A small goat trailer may be the answer for you if you are only hauling a few goats to shows and want to save on fuel.
Cimarron Trailer Company has a great Truck Stock Box that you can put in the back of a truck to carry your goats to shows.
Depending on where you live and the options you choose will determine the price you pay for a brand new stock box.
Goat Hoof Trimmers
When you get to the goat show you don’t want your goat to sound like it’s wearing tap shoes or look lame because of untrimmed hooves, so you will need a good set of hoof trimmers.
The Producer’s Pride Hoof Trimmers are a nice set that you can buy for $27. Having these will be handy for shows as well as in taking care of your herd’s hooves.
Goat Blanket
At first thought, a goat blanket doesn’t sound like something you would need for a show goat, but after some experience you will not want to be without one.
Having a blanket on your goat can prevent unnecessary washings and protect their skin and hair. If you are going to get into showing goats, you will not want to be without one.
Homemade Goat Blankets
You can make your own goat blanket to fit your goat the way you want it to as well as to save money.
Maxine Kinne shared a great Goat Blanket Tutorial on her website. By following her instructions, you will be able to make your very own custom blanket for your goat.
Retail Goat Blankets
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of making your own goat blanket, there are many on the market to choose from that will fit pretty much any size goat.
The Weaver Leather Mesh Goat Blanket comes in many sizes and costs $39-$50. To determine the size you will need you can follow their sizing guide on their website. Using this blanket will help keep your goat clean and protected for their shows.
Goat Brushes
Brushes cannot be forgotten if you are going to be showing your goat. You will want to have a variety of brushes to accomplish the different jobs that are required to get a goat show ready.
The Roma Soft Touch Grooming Kit will provide you with all the brushes you may need to get your goat ready to step out into the showring and will only cost you $45.
Goat Exercising
When your goat steps into the showing you will want them to be in great physical condition.
One of the best ways to ensure that your goat has bulging muscles is by giving them access to quality foods, hurdles, jumps and walking them.
Your goat will not need to be walked for huge amounts of time each day, but consistently walking them will pay off big time when you go to show them.
If your goat does need extra exercise you can engage them in intense running. Some people use herd dogs to make their goats run, but you do not have to do that.
You can also look into purchasing a walker, a chariot, or a treadmill as a means to build your goat’s muscles. Whatever you choose though, make sure you do not overheat your goat or start working off the weight you want on them.
Wrapping Up
There are many supplies you will need to prepare for goat shows. Some of them may not seem as significant as others, but they all add up to the end product you produce for the show. When you have these supplies from this guide, they can help you achieve success as you show off the high-quality goats you are producing.
