Showing hogs can be a fun and learning experience. Many youths enjoy the rewarding feeling of stepping into a show ring and exhibiting the animal they have worked so hard to raise.

Part 2
Part 2 of 4:

Caring for and Readying the Pig

  1. 1
    Keep the pig in a clean pen. Keep the pig clean. Keep the pig's snout and butt clean when it is exiting the pen.
  2. 2
    Keep the pig in good condition. Exercise it regularly. Start walking to help the pig lose weight and stay in good condition.
    • Do not allow the pig to become underweight or overweight.
  3. 3
    Feed the pig a high-quality feed free choice at least 2 times a day. Depending on the feed, pick a high-protein feed. (This does not mean feed hormones.)[2]
  4. 4
    Handle your hog daily to get it used to a whip or pipe. Tap only on the hog's shoulder to the underarm area on each side. Try if possible to keep your pig's head up to make the top line of your pig look more even. Not too high though.[3]
  5. 5
    Train the pig in a larger pen or, if possible, at the place it will be shown, so it is used to being in a larger area.
  6. 6
    Make sure your pig has been trained/exercised in a pen the size of the show ring, or as close as you can get. Pigs tend to get excited and run around their first time inside a large pen.
    • Note that this will excitable behavior will occasionally happen even after you work with them. The best thing to do is just to walk past the judge, maintaining eye contact. Don't get upset.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 4:

At the Show

  1. 1
    Keep the hog between you and the judge while showing. Never put the whip, cane, or pipe in between the judge and the hog.[5]
  2. 2
    Keep your eyes on the judge and follow his/her instructions promptly.[6]
  3. 3
    Handle your pig with gentleness. Judges like a hog that handles softly.
    • Don't hit your hog hard enough to make it whine, judges won't like that.
    • For showmanship, know the style the judge likes (if possible) and conform to it.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Is keeping eye contact with the judge important?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Very much so. Keep your eye on the judge at all times; keep your pig between yourself and the judge; look at the pig from the corner of your eye; smile; be gentle with your cane or pig whip; be calm; and don't run.
  • Question
    How do I make my pig less stubborn to walk around?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You need to simply walk your animal every day, be patient, gentle, and reward good behavior with lots of small treats, like small pieces of apple, or mini marshmallows.
  • Question
    Can I have a brush in my back pocket when showing?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    In my experience, I've always been told it is okay to keep a brush and/or a rag with me to insure the pig stays clean.
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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

  • A hog with good confirmation
  • A show-whip or cane
  • A nice clean set of clothes (preferably white for 4-H or FFA)
  • Brushes & Conditioners
  • Food buckets and a water tube
  • A place to keep your pig

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 27 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 76,003 times.
184 votes - 81%
Co-authors: 27
Updated: January 10, 2023
Views: 76,003
Categories: Pigs
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