Prepping for the Show

One of the most exciting parts of raising an animal is being able to showcase your animal and all of the time and energy that you've put into it. However, shows require a lot of set up and preparation to ensure that they go smoothly!

What's in my Tack Box?

Just as every woman relies on their purse and men upon their wallet, every showman heavily relies on their tack box. A tack box is a box (hanging or grounded) utilized for organizing all equipment you'd need for show prep and the actual show.

Important things to have are:

Whips- Used for moving and showing your animal
Feeders + Hangers- The pigs have got to eat somehow!
Feed + Supplements- It can get really hot and difficult on show days. Supplemental electrolytes keep the animal feeling ready to show!
Wash Stuff- Including whitening soap* and brushes, "wash stuff" is essential to make sure your hog is looking its best in the show ring.
Exhibitor Clip- Every exhibitor recives a number on a piece of paper this identification is put into the clip and the clip into your back pocket for showing.
Treats- Just like people, your pig will need motivation from time to time and nothing gets them up better than a marshmallow! Plus they deserve a reward after showing so well, right?
Fans + Extension Cords- It is hot in the summer for not only yourself but your animal!
Shade Screens- When preparing for a long term show, shade screens can be essential to keep you and your animal out of the summer sun.

*Whitening soap is a purple soap used to brighten a white pig. Beware of leaving it on too long as it can turn your animal purple!

Whitening Shampoo

Preparing your Animal

Now that you have everything that you will need at the show, it is important to get the animal itself ready! From baths to haircuts, this will have to be one pampered piggy.

Bathing

Washing a pig is similar to washing pretty much anything else as it must be done with care and an eye for detail. Our muddy buddies must be cleaned off before clipped so by taking a shampoo (whitening or regular depending on the breed) and a wash brush you can scrub the grime and grit off of your animal. An important place whic is often overlooked would be the feet of the pig, especially a white pig. Scrubbing the darkness off of their feet is essential to having a well-fitted animal.

Clipping

Clipping an animal is just like getting a haircut before a big school dance. However, clipping your animal has different benefits such as muscle definition. So, you want to clip your animal 3-4 days before the show to allow it to grow out just a bit.

A bathed pig is easily clipped if you are experienced however, it is a rather easy thing to pick up. There are multiple guard lengths that can be applied. Among the best to use are: 3/4 in, 1/2 in, and no guard. If successfully blended, these lengths will leave you with a well fitted pig.

After your animal has been clipped, be sure to finish with another wash and some skin conditioner to give it a nice shine and keep the skin healthy.

Clipping Guide

Blue- NO GUARD

Yellow- 1/2 in GUARD

Green- 3/4 in GUARD

A Buyer's Letter: Why do I Need It?

When the state fair rolls around it nears time for you to prepare your animal to be sold. Be it that your animal places top 4 in its market class and qualifies for auction or that you simply would like to sell it from its pen to someone, a buyer's letter is important. So what is a buyer's letter? It is a letter to someone in your community, be it a local government official or a family friend, describing your involvement with your animal and extending an invitation for them to attend auction or simply come to see your pig in order to purchase it.

Important things to include in your letter are:

A proper greeting.
An introduction of yourself including your name, grade, and school.
A brief description about your involvement in the agricultural community and how it has impacted your life.
An invitation to the auction including date, time, and place.
A proper closing thanking them for their time.

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