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The Best Tips for Winning a County Fair Livestock Show

Participating in a county fair livestock show is more than just walking an animal around a ring — it’s a test of commitment, preparation, and knowledge. For many, especially youth in 4-H and FFA, these shows are a chance to apply months of work and care into a few important minutes in front of a judge. Winning isn’t just about having the best animal on the day; it’s about the preparation leading up to the event, the bond between exhibitor and animal, and the small details that often make a big difference. The Best Tips for Winning a County Fair Livestock Show Whether you’re raising cattle, pigs, goats, or lambs, the tips below will help you prepare with confidence and aim for the top spot in your next livestock competition. Choose the Right Animal from the Start Success at the fair often begins long before show day — with the selection of your animal. This decision can set the tone for your entire season. While every animal has potential, starting with a strong foundation gives you a better chance at producing a champion. When selecting your animal, consider the following: Conformation: Look for balanced structure, straight lines, and good muscle development. Temperament: An animal with a calm, trainable personality will be easier to work with. Age and Weight Class: Make sure your animal fits within the ideal age or weight range for your target show. Health Status: Always choose an animal that is alert, active, and free from visible signs of illness or injury. Building a relationship with trusted breeders or visiting reputable farms can help you evaluate multiple animals and make the most informed choice. Focus on Daily Nutrition and Consistent Feeding Feeding is not a one-size-fits-all routine — every species, breed, and individual animal has slightly different needs. A proper nutrition program helps develop muscle tone, maintain energy levels, and support overall health. Key feeding principles: Balanced Diet: Include a mix of grains, proteins, fiber, and minerals. Clean Water: Ensure fresh water is always available, especially during hot weather. Consistent Schedule: Feed your animal at the same times each day to develop a routine. Monitor Intake: Track how much your animal eats and how it responds to any dietary changes. Some exhibitors also work with livestock nutritionists or use show-specific feed blends tailored for peak physical condition. Train Early and Often for Calm, Show-Ready Behavior One of the most common reasons even good animals lose in the show ring is lack of training. Show animals [...]

By |2025-04-12T16:25:49+00:00April 12th, 2025|Entertainment, Horse Show|0 Comments
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Working With Horses

Working With Horses: A Career for All Ages Have you ever noticed how happy people who work with horses seem to be?  Would that be enough to encourage you to take the plunge?  any young people especially girls would love to have the opportunity to work with horses. Maybe you are not so young anymore and think that it’s too late to change your career to work in the equestrian industry.  That is just not true - there are people of all ages who have chosen to follow their dreams and turn their favorite pastime into their livelihood as well. There are so many different jobs that involve horses that you can find one that fits YOU. You don’t have to be a good rider (although that increases your choices) - the only requirement is a genuine concern for their welfare and. total dedication.   The reason that you need to be dedicated is that you may have to start work very early and have few if any weekends off.   You may have to brave all kinds of weather because horses can’t be left standing in their stables all day long to develop habits that come from being bored or stressed.  Exploring Career Opportunities in the Equestrian World: From Riding Instructor to Entrepreneur Often the pay is not great, but the opportunities are always there for those who are prepared to work and study to become an expert in their chosen career. So what jobs are available?  If you are a very good rider you have the possibility of becoming a show jumper or an event person, a flat racing  jockey or a jump jockey.  You may have to start off as a groom who exercises horses for the more talented riders and work your way up Try to find a horsey job that fits your personality.  If you are naturally competitive, go to work with competition horses (that can include driving horses).  Maybe you are super patient and laid back,probably working with young horses would be your best choice.   If you are a sociable person who loves teaching you may prefer to train as a riding instructor.  Ambitious?  Starting your own riding school or livery stables is a great option and you will find that there are often government grants available to help you get started. Of course if you are already financially free or retired, your services would be greatly appreciated by voluntary organizations such as “Riding For The Disabled”.  Whatever you choose to [...]

By |2024-01-12T12:26:40+00:00May 18th, 2017|Horses, Horse Lover|0 Comments
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No Foot, No Horse

Laminitis Prevention: How to Save Your Horse’s Feet “No Foot, No Horse” is a well known saying in horsey circles. Good horse care and stable management can go a long way towards preventing laminitis which is sometimes referred to as founder. It is a common foot ailment which can be caused by a lot of different factors. The horse moves with short awkward steps and stretches it's front legs forward and it's hind legs under his body. It puts most of it’s weight on it’s heels to avoid pressure on the front feet. This is due to the inflammation of the laminae which are a sensitive part of the horse's foot. It is usually more pronounced in the front feet. Sometimes the horse will have a fever and the hooves will be hot. There may be rings of growth in the foot - these are signs of previous attacks of laminitis. It is a painful condition and if it is allowed to deteriorate can result in pneumonia or infection resulting in death or leading to the horse having to be humanely destroyed. There are a number of causes of laminitis including: • Prolonged standing on a hard stable floor • Cantering or galloping on a hard surfaces or trotting fast for long distances • A horse breaking into the feed store • Incorrect feeding - a horse that is prone to laminitis should not be fed barley nor should it be overfed • Fat ponies and horses especially those with flat feet are prone to laminitis • It can also be caused by toxicity so pastures should be checked for poisonous plants before putting horses out to grass. • Over rich pastures - fat ponies should have their stable rations reduced and in the summer put on sparse or limited grazing. • A horse that has laminitic tendencies should not be put out to graze in Spring or late summer • Some mares can become laminitic if some of the afterbirth has been retained after foaling. • It is important that a vet is consulted as soon as these signs have appeared because lack of treatment will eventually lead to the horse being "stuck to the ground". While waiting for the vet make the horse walk for five minute to aid the circulation to the foot. The vet will advise on treatment depending on the cause of the laminitis which may include keeping the hooves well trimmed. In cases where the laminitis has become chronic I.e. the [...]

By |2024-01-12T14:29:09+00:00August 2nd, 2015|Animals, Horse, Horse Foot Ailment, laminitis|0 Comments
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An Overview of Horse Illness

The Ultimate Guide to Horse Illness: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions Many horse illnesses can be prevented by good horse management such as regular worming. In the world of horses, the statement "a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing" is very true. It is very much in your horse's interest to find someone who is experienced and consult them whenever you have even the slightest suspicion that all is not well with your horse. You may have heard of the expression "the stockman's eye" - many illnesses can be prevented by careful observation on a daily basis. Horses are creatures of habit and each one must be treated as an individual. There are some general obvious signs of illness such as: coughing, being listless, lack of interest in their feed. discharge from the nose or eyes weight loss a dull coat Excessive sweating, pawing at the ground, looking at their flank and trying to lie down or roll are symptoms of colic ( a severe stomach ache). It is normal for a horse to rest a hind leg but if he is resting (i.e. taking the weight off )a front leg that is a sign of lameness. You can also judge the state of a horse's health by changes in behavior. For example when a horse who is normally quiet to ride starts to buck the chances are that he may have a back injury or a wound in Saddle area or under the girth.. These are some of the most common illnesses:: 1) Colic which is the number one cause of fatality in horses - call a vet at the onset of symptoms and that will greatly increase the chances of a happy outcome. 2) Degenerative Diseases such as navicular disease (horse takes short stiff steps) and ringbone which can be treated with pain killers but cannot be cured. 3) Laminitis - the hooves are hot and painful - can be worsened by rich grazing or overfeeding 4) Thrush - a smelly discharge from the frog prevented by daily picking out of foot and clean bedding. use disinfectant to clean out the foot. 5) Ringworm -.A fungus which creates round bare patches on the horse’s coat is also curable but highly contagious so don’t use the grooming equipment on other horses and do not stable the horse within touching distance of another horse. Wash your hands before approaching other horses 6) Strangles - enlarged glands abscesses at the throat which swell and eventually rupture. The horse [...]

By |2024-01-12T15:04:35+00:00June 28th, 2015|Horse, Horse Foot Ailment, Horse Illness|0 Comments
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Things you want to know about Horses

I was cleaning up my computer and ran across this pdf file - It talks about Paint Horses, Saddle-Bred Horses, Arabian Horses, the basics of Horse Care, Buying Your First Horse, Developing the Bond between Man and Horse, Draft Drought Horses, The Clydesdale - its twelve pages long. Unlocking the Secrets: Things You Want to Know About Horses.pdf I have a vague recollection of where it came from and actually considered deleting it, but there is some good information in here that might be of interest to the beginning horse person. Let me know what you think. Horses.pdf

By |2024-02-26T07:30:48+00:00May 30th, 2012|Horse, Horses|0 Comments
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Documentary Film Chronicles the Heart and Soul of the Thoroughbred Industry

Kentucky is known for its horses, there are tons of horse events...Please watch the below film it's quite interesting. Documentary Film Chronicles the Heart and Soul of the Thoroughbred Industry - "Beyond the Stone Fences" Spotlights Kentucky Thoroughbred Horse Farms.

By |2024-02-26T16:57:47+00:00September 3rd, 2010|Horse, Kentucky|0 Comments
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Harry Vold Stock Contractor, Colorado

Who is Harry Vold? Well, he looks like and sounds like John Wayne, if John Wayne had a brother or a double it would have been Harry Vold. Harry is a rodeo stock contractor with a deep love of horses that shows in everything he does. He is now 86 years old and runs the Harry Vold Rodeo Company out of Pueblo Colorado. He is 86 now and still loves to ride on his ranch and watch his animals. "A good bucking horse has to have the heart and disposition, they have to want to buck", says Harry. His youngest daughter Kristen is now managing the ranch, but, not of course without Harry's input. Harry's animals are never bucked more then twice a week and have the best diet and the best of care and a great ranch to roam on. The following interview was done as the Colorado State Fair was getting underway. Harry and his rodeo company were of course in attendance. The Duke of the Chutes: Harry Vold's Sixty Years in Rodeo (Hardcover) - Review HERE IT IS! This is the book all the rodeo contestants, fans, committeemen, and contract performers have wanted to read forever. This is Harry Vold s life story. In it you'll see Harry s career as a premier rodeo producer and ... The road to the College National Finals Rodeo passes through Las ... - NMSU hired 11-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Stock Contractor of the Year Harry Vold, of the Harry Vold Rodeo Co., as the stock contractor for this rodeo. The team also hired “Radical Ryan Rodriguez” as the clown act. ...

By |2019-04-29T23:41:31+00:00August 30th, 2010|Cowboy, Colorado, Horse Lover, Horses, Podcast, Pueblo, Rodeo, State Fair, Stock Contractor|0 Comments
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What is Barrel Horse Racing

Originally a sport created by rodeos for their wives and girlfriends, barrel horse racing has now become a sport event where everybody can join. Barrel horse racing has been around for many years now. This is basically a game event that aims to display speed. The race is pretty simple to watch. It is played on an arena with three barrels arranged in an isosceles triangle pattern on which the intention of the racer is to gain the fastest speed by circling the three barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. While there may be standards as to the distance of each barrel, governing bodies normally have various preferences on how far each barrel should be set from one another. The general distance is 90 feet from each barrel. However, some may use 60 feet up to 100 plus feet. The setting applies to all competitors. The game begins once the racer enters the arena towards the first barrel. On this, the rider must enter at a slight angle since its much easier for the racer if he would not come straight on to it. A complete turn must be accomplished on the first barrel before moving to the second one. A second turn, but this time an opposite one, will be made on the second barrel. And again, the rider will have to race towards the third barrel. The third barrel then will be circled around in the same direction as the second one. After a complete loop, the rider will have to accelerate back to the starting line, which is also considered as the finish line. Like many other horse racing events, horse barrel racing has its common problems too. We will help you distinguish some of the most common problems and would try to suggest a couple of things to find a solution on it. Please read on. The first barrel is usually termed to as the “money barrel”. This makes the most difficult turn since the horse has to approach it at full speed. Remember that the main aim of this game is to take it as fast as you can. This is also the most tricky barrel because if you knock it off, you are sure to be out of the game in no time and if you passed over it, you will have the chance to take some money with you. The problem though comes with the horse that normally passes over this barrel due to lack of rate. Because the horse is [...]

By |2016-10-23T11:34:45+00:00June 6th, 2010|Barrel Racing, Horse, Horse Riding, Rodeo|0 Comments
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