There’s no doubt that showing goats is a fun project. However, if you are going to excel with a market goat, you are going to need to know how to exercise a show goat. If you don’t, you may struggle to help your goat reach its maximum potential.
Good nutrition, thorough hydration, and plenty of exercise are the difference between coming up short and hanging a banner. It’s important to keep that in mind as you #preptowin with your goat.
At Sure Champ®, our team is comprised of livestock enthusiasts just like you! We even have some folks on our team who thrive in the goat show ring. That’s why we thought it was important to share our thoughts on how to exercise a show goat. We are by no means experts, and everyone will have their own unique preferences, but for beginners or those with some basic questions, this blog is for you.
Types of Exercise
Curious about how to exercise a show goat? Well, there are different types of exercise that you can offer. The best way to exercise your show goat is going to depend on your animal. Depending on the goat, some people will use different types on different days, depending on their resources.
You use your resources and consult with your goat breeder about what your goat needs to look its optimal on show day.
Some exercise ideas include:
Jumps
Jumps will add tone and build muscle. They can be incorporated into your daily walking routine or, depending on pen size, put in the pen. Jumps should be about chest high, so the goat has to exert energy and not simply walk over them.
If placed in the pen, put jumps in a high-traffic area, like on the way to water or feed, so they get utilized regularly.
Running
Running can be done in several ways. Your exhibitor can run its goats in a yard or grassy field. Be sure there are no holes or other obstacles that could hurt your show goat or exhibitor. You can also track your goat if you have the space, resources, and a trained dog.
Treadmill
A treadmill is another way to help build muscle tone. Lamb and goat treadmills are available by searching “goat treadmill” on Google. Remember, your goat can be treadmilled backward to help optimize its loin and leg shape.
Adding Dogs to the Equation
A trained dog will help release the adrenaline in your goats. If you have a trained dog, using it while you exercise your show goat will help increase their energy, make them work harder, and increase their muscle tone while working out.
When & Why to Exercise a Show Goat
The purpose of exercise is two-fold. First, exercise can build and tone muscle shape. Remember that exercise doesn’t create muscle, but it does build and shape the existing muscle in your show goat.
Secondly, exercise helps “firm” up an animal that might be carrying just a little too much condition or fat. With that said, you should not exercise a thin goat, as exercise will “burn” off muscle and work backward against building muscle shape. When exercising your goat, make sure it is at least 50 pounds and has around .2 of finish at its last rib.
It isn’t necessary to exercise your show goat hard every day, depending on the type of exercise you use. When your goat starts panting, it’s hot and has had enough. Some people will exercise their goats just 2 or 3 days per week. Any time you do exercise, remember forward motion works the full body and helps reduce goats’ midsection to give them a more athletic appearance.
Sure Champ Can Help
Once you have determined how to exercise a show goat that best works for your set up and resources, don’t forget to take care of your goat with quality nutrition. Sure Champ offers supplements for all species of show livestock. Most Sure Champ supplements contain AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a research-proven prebiotic designed to enhance digestibility. Here are some that we suggest that you might want to keep for your feed room when exercising goats.
Sure Champ® Extreme with ClariFly®
Sure Champ Extreme with ClariFly is a pelleted, daily supplement for show livestock with ClariFly designed to support hoof health, hair coat, and performance when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Designed for all species, it contains Amaferm and MOS to help normalize gut microflora and support the immune system. It also contains HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils and garlic, as well as ClariFly to support animals when heat and insects are a challenge.
Sure Champ® Climate Control Gel
Sure Champ Climate Control Gel is a gel for all livestock designed to support digestive health and recovery when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Formerly known as Vita Charge Climate Control, this gel contains Amaferm and HEAT technology, a combination of essential oils, to support animals when heat is a challenge. It promotes appetite and water intake.
Sure Champ® Joint Juice
Sure Champ Joint Juice is a liquid product for livestock designed to support joint health utilizing patented technology. Joint Juice contains MHB3®, a patented high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. It lubricates joints and supports mobility and soundness.
Who is Sure Champ?
At Sure Champ, we are passionate about our own show livestock projects. We tie up young calves, rinse, work hair and break them to lead. We haul goats and lambs across the country to shows and sales and spend countless hours walking pigs back and forth in our grassy backyards. The Sure Champ team is made up of people just like you.
Our products support livestock show exhibitors who are trying to make champions at home and earn their place at the backdrop. We understand the hours of time and dedication that it takes to get an animal ready. For each species and each animal, livestock feed rations are an important part of ensuring that your animal looks like a champion at every show.
Sure Champ is part of the family of brands that belongs to BioZyme® Inc., a leading fermentation company pioneering advancements in animal nutrition and health. Through innovative research and high-quality manufacturing, BioZyme creates powerful solutions that improve animal performance.
Our mission: undeniable positive impact on the health and wellness of your animals and your business.
Get your Sure Champ Today
We hope this blog has helped you determine how to exercise a show goat so you can build and tone muscle. Exercise and quality nutrition from Sure Champ go hand-in-hand.
You can get your Sure Champ products as easily as ordering online today.
Do you prefer to support a local Sure Champ dealer? Find a dealer near you to find all your favorite Sure Champ and other BioZyme products.
Want to stay current on all of our educational blogs and news? Sign up for our newsletter.
