Showing hogs can be a fun and learning experience. Many youths enjoy the rewarding feeling of stepping into a show ring and exhibiting the animal they have worked so hard to raise.
Steps
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Keep the pig in a clean pen. Keep the pig clean. Keep the pig's snout and butt clean when it is exiting the pen.
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Keep the pig in good condition. Exercise it regularly. Start walking to help the pig lose weight and stay in good condition.
- Do not allow the pig to become underweight or overweight.
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Feed the pig a high-quality feed free choice at least 2 times a day. Depending on the feed, pick a high-protein feed. (This does not mean feed hormones.) [2] X Research source
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Handle your hog daily to get it used to a whip or pipe. Tap only on the hog's shoulder to the underarm area on each side. Try if possible to keep your pig's head up to make the top line of your pig look more even. Not too high though.
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Train the pig in a larger pen or, if possible, at the place it will be shown, so it is used to being in a larger area.
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Make sure your pig has been trained/exercised in a pen the size of the show ring, or as close as you can get. Pigs tend to get excited and run around their first time inside a large pen.
- Note that this will excitable behavior will occasionally happen even after you work with them. The best thing to do is just to walk past the judge, maintaining eye contact. Don't get upset.
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Keep the hog between you and the judge while showing. Never put the whip, cane, or pipe in between the judge and the hog. [3] X Research source
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Keep your eyes on the judge and follow his/her instructions promptly. [4] X Research source
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Handle your pig with gentleness. Judges like a hog that handles softly.
- Don't hit your hog hard enough to make it whine, judges won't like that.
- For showmanship, know the style the judge likes (if possible) and conform to it.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionIs keeping eye contact with the judge important?Community AnswerVery much so. Keep your eye on the judge at all times; keep your pig between yourself and the judge; look at the pig from the corner of your eye; smile; be gentle with your cane or pig whip; be calm; and don't run.
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QuestionHow do I make my pig less stubborn to walk around?Community AnswerYou need to simply walk your animal every day, be patient, gentle, and reward good behavior with lots of small treats, like small pieces of apple, or mini marshmallows.
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QuestionCan I have a brush in my back pocket when showing?Community AnswerIn my experience, I've always been told it is okay to keep a brush and/or a rag with me to insure the pig stays clean.
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Tips
- For the market, know the type of pig the judge likes. Example: if s/he is known to place pigs with bad posture in a lower rank, buy a pig that stands tall.Thanks
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Warnings
- Try to keep your pig out of corners, try to keep your pig moving as much as possible.Thanks
- Try to avoid groups of pigs or unruly pigs.Thanks
- If the judge is looking at someone else's pig, do not get in the way. You can get marked down for poor sportsmanship.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- A hog with good confirmation
- A show-whip or cane
- A nice clean set of clothes (preferably white for 4-H or FFA)
- Brushes & Conditioners
- Food buckets and a water tube
- A place to keep your pig
References
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 83,590 times.
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