Showmanship question

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Wiscofarmer8
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Showmanship question

Post by Wiscofarmer8 » Sun Mar 12, 2017 1:19 pm

Recently this past year at the shows I've shown at (Wisconsin), I've seen other showman use their hands to hit the pig to get it moving, or use their hands to drag the pigs head to get it out of a corner or to get it to turn? I was very confused by this, since I've been told my whole life to not touch my pig when the judge is looking. Is this a new trend in the industry? Do you see kids doing it from where you live? Is this something a judge will be looking for me to do while showing?

midwest77
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Re: Showmanship question

Post by midwest77 » Sun Mar 12, 2017 1:30 pm

I have seen all types of hand contact. Me personally I believe you should only use your hand to get them out of a corner if you have to. I prefer to use my legs/feet. I don't mind people useing a brush to hit hem on the back but not a fan of the hand. Some judges like it and others don't from what I have seen.

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PJP
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Re: Showmanship question

Post by PJP » Mon Mar 13, 2017 8:40 am

I would rather see a shower give a little slap on the back of a pig to get it moving rather than see it hit several times with a show stick or whip.
Don't squat with your spurs on.

gobigorgohome
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Re: Showmanship question

Post by gobigorgohome » Tue Mar 14, 2017 12:39 pm

This can be so confusing for the kids - every judge wants something different. This year at our show the judge wanted the kids to use their hands to tap or move the pigs, when previous years' judges said "hands off". The judge this year also told the kids to back off their hogs more - he didn't want them leaning over them - also different than usual.

We hold a progress show about 6 wks. before our annual show and always have different judges. The kids hear what the progress judge says and put it to use at the terminal show only to be told by that judge to do something different.

I know things are always changing and progressing----just wish someone would give me the updates!! :?

buckI
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Re: Showmanship question

Post by buckI » Mon Apr 17, 2017 1:21 am

As stated, every judge has their preferences.

I too was raised in a time that you flat did not touch your pig with your hand. It seems to be fairly common and accepted for a showman to occasionally tap their pig's back with a free hand or direct a pig's head with the hand to the face.

We school on our kids to lightly tap their pigs back, only when necessary. If we have a pig that is up in his back a bit, we will have that kid show with a brush in-hand and use the brush to get the pig moving and simultaneously get them to drop their back. Do this will a little tap on the loin or a pointed brush stroke along the loin and ham-loin jct area.

Train hard on the kids to use their free hand when turning pigs but to try and not touch the pig. Train them prior to that to respond to the hand by turning away when it is near the face.

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