Showing sheep, and for the most part goats as well, three positions are important to understand and to master. Youth working at home should practice being able to properly walk, show and brace their lambs as they would in the show ring.
The Walk
When walking a lamb, there is a big difference between walking for exercise on a halter and walking in the show ring. In the show ring, we want the exhibitor to be able to walk their lamb around the show ring in a right hand (clockwise) circle. Exhibitors should be able to walk their lamb with the lamb's jaw resting comfortably in the exhibitor's left hand, with a level head, straight neck and level back when traveling. The right hand can be placed gently against the back of the lamb's head or held up in a comfortable position ready to place against the back of the lamb's head.
The exhibitor should position themselves in a way that appears and is comfortable to walk the lamb. A very tall exhibitor with a short lamb may need to adjust their body while walking so they are not hunched over. Young exhibitors with big lambs may also need to think about how they need to position their hands when a sheep is almost as tall as they are.
During a walk in the show ring, a lamb may do one of two things, balk or try and pull back. A balk, or refusing to walk forward can be frustrating. The number one thing not to do is use both hands and try and pull the lamb forward. It usually leads to a lamb wanting to pull back. Think about this, if someone walked up to you, put two hands on your head and pulled forward, what is your reaction going to be? You pull back, right? Sheep are no different.
To get a balking lamb to move forward we can try two things, adjusting body position and placing your right hand to encourage movement. Many times a lamb will balk going forward because an exhibitor moved ahead of the lamb's point of balance. The point of balance is an imaginary spot, usually about the lamb's shoulder, which a lamb will move in the opposite direction of a human. If an exhibitor gets too far in front of their lamb (and its point of balance), the lamb will balk or want to go backwards. The exhibitor needs to move their body behind the point of balance and this should encourage the lamb to move forward.
If the point of balance is not the problem, then using the right hand may encourage movement. Try placing the right hand on the lamb's back or hip. This acts as a physical cue to move forward. An exhibitor should not grab their lamb's dock or strike the lamb to get them to move. If the lamb continues to balk, wait for a ring steward to come over and help get the lamb walking again.
Pulling back or away is just as frustrating as a balk. A sheep who has learned to get away from an exhibitor is the most likely to try and pull back in the show ring. To prevent pulling back, an exhibitor should walk behind the balance point of their lamb with the right hand against the back of the head. With one hand under the jaw and one on the back of the head, the exhibitor's hands now act like a halter. Exhibitors must remember; do not apply a pulling pressure to the head. Just like I mentioned earlier, it only causes the lamb to want to pull back even more. Exhibitors also should not grab the dock to prevent a sheep from pulling back.
Balking and pulling back can best be prevented by proper practice at home. Set up a space as your "show ring" area at home. It does not require fences or panels, just the same amount of space you might see in a show ring. Practice walking your lamb in a right hand circle. Make sure you have proper body position, hold the lamb's jaw and head properly and maintain a proper speed.
The proper speed for walking a lamb is hard to describe, but the key is the exhibitor sets the speed. Some lambs like to walk fast, others slow. Your lamb should walk a purposeful 4 beat walk, that keeps their head level, neck straight and back level when they travel. If you practice going to fast, when you are in the show ring, you and your lamb will be walking and then stopping so you do not run into a lamb in front of you. If you practice to slow, a ring steward will be coming to help you get around the show ring faster.
Exhibitors need to practice walking their lamb on the opposite side with their right hand under the jaw. During showmanship, many judges like to switch the sides they are viewing the lambs from. A good exhibitor can switch sides and continue walking their lamb with the opposite hands. Remember an exhibitor should not be on the same side of the lamb as the judge.
For those of you who have shown lambs before, this should seem like a good review of what you have been doing. If this is your first time showing lambs, get some help and advice from an experienced sheep exhibitor or adult leader. Only good and proper practice will lead to great showmanship.
Here is an additional resource on showing lambs:
Sheep Showmanship Series Texas Youth Livestock and Agriculture
Scott Stinnett
Extension Associate
Kit Carson County
Golden Plains Area
Colorado State University Extension
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