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How to Get Your Goat's Coat Ready for a Show

When deciding to show your goat, there are a few things you should to do to ensure showing success: make sure you are able to control your goat, gather knowledge concerning the goat industry and how your goat meets standards and groom your goat so that its best characteristics are flaunted. Each goat show has its own set of regulations concerning the trimming of hooves and horns, so it is important to consult the show's regulations. In order for your goat's coat to shine and show to its highest potential, you must begin care weeks before the event.

Things You'll Need

Coarse finger curry comb
Fine finger curry comb
Large animal clippers
1/4-inch or 1/2-inch clipper guards
Scissors
Mild detergent
Fresh hay

Instructions

- 1
  Brush your goat's coat three to four times a week, brushing with the direction of growth. Use a coarse-finger curry comb for the goat's back, sides and quarters and a fine-finger curry comb for the more sensitive areas of his head and belly. Brush each section until all visible dirt and knots are removed.
- 2
  Cut your goat's coat a week before the show, as it will look uneven and butchered for a few days after cutting. Use a 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch guard for your large animal clipper and run it along your goat's coat in the direction in which it grows. Do not use the clippers along the legs, tail, ears, eyes, mouth or other more sensitive areas.
- 3
  Trim the hair along the legs, tail, ears, eyes, mouth and other sensitive areas with a pair of scissors. Do not bob the tail when you trim the hairs, but instead simply trim any wild hairs so that all are of even length.
- 4
  Wash your goat's coat with mild detergent or dog shampoo the day before the show. Clean the goat's stall and re-bed with fresh hay to prevent manure stains and smells.

Animals & Science