Why Your Animal’s Bad Day Shouldn’t Become Your Bad Show: Damage Control in the Ring

Every exhibitor eventually walks into the ring with an animal that has decided today is not its day. It balks at the gate, pulls on the halter, will not stand or keeps looking at the crowd. Judges know animals are unpredictable. A bad day for the animal does not have to be a bad show for you.

Know that judges expect it

Experienced judges watch dozens of animals in a class. They know what a stressed animal looks like and they pay close attention to how handlers respond. Many say that a tough animal handled well can score higher than an easy animal handled passively, because the judge gets to see real skill.

Start with your own breathing

Animals read their handlers. A tense grip, fast steps or a tight voice tells the animal something is wrong. Take a slow breath before you enter, drop your shoulders and keep your hands relaxed. If you stay steady, the animal has something steady to follow.

Shrink the problem

Do not try to fix everything at once. Choose one thing, such as getting the front feet set, and work on that. If the animal will not stand square, accept a slightly imperfect setup and focus on keeping it calm and visible. A decent setup that stays put beats a perfect one that keeps collapsing.

Use the tools lightly

A show stick, cane, brush or halter is a guide, not a weapon. When an animal acts up, resist the urge to correct harder. Use smaller, quieter cues. Hard corrections cause bigger reactions and tell the judge you are losing control.

Give the animal space

If your animal is anxious around others, move to the edge of the line where there is more room. Avoid crowding the exhibitor ahead. Adjust your position so the animal is not nose to tail with another.

Keep the judge in view

Even when you are busy, keep track of where the judge is. A quick glance after each correction keeps you from drifting out of position.

What not to do

• Do not yell, jerk or hit the animal.
• Do not apologize out loud or complain about the animal.
• Do not blame the animal in your answers to questions.
• Do not give up and stand slack.

Prepare in advance

Most ring problems begin at home. Practice with distractions such as music, other animals, a flapping flag or a helper walking around. Walk the animal through new places before the show. Arrive early so the animal can see the barn and the ring.

After the class

If the class went poorly, ask the judge for feedback. Judges are often glad to explain what they saw and how you could handle a similar situation next time. Write the lessons in your record book.

The bottom line

The ring is a test of calm, not perfection. When your animal has a bad day, show the judge a handler who stays steady, protects the animal and keeps working until the end. That is the kind of showman judges remember.

For related reading, see How Showmanship Is Judged. agriculture.directory lists feed stores, vets and suppliers near you, and for a lighter break from fair prep, farm.fm has Arkansas State Fair Livestock Show.