Tools of the Trade

By: Joel Lanier 

Showmanship development in the sheep and goat barn can be enhanced with the proper equipment and training schedule. Quality time at home working on your showmanship techniques always pays dividends down the road. Working efficiently with good time management is crucial to get hands on practice with all your livestock consistently, each and every week. Here's some set ups I would highly recommend especially for families with large numbers or clubs with project farms.

1. Elevated Platform in front of a big mirror. 

• • 12 to 24 inches off the ground and big enough to accommodate the showman and sheep or goat.
  • Position the platform parallel to the big mirror. This gives the showman a great platform to practice bracing, as well as profile and rear view look.
  • The big mirror really shortens the learning curve, because they can see what the animal looks like and determine the best presentation techniques for each animal. 

2. Multi head walkers. 

• • Wether it is a specialized merry go round type walker for sheep and goats or a cut down horse walker thats been geared down for sheep speed, these tools can help with head set training and provide some light exercise to a bigger set of animals while individual lambs and goats can be worked with. Pro Tip - Don't under estimate the value of some good old fashioned road work, with a halter, down the road and back.