This article was written by Megan Nielson, former 4-H Youth Livestock Field Specialist.
It’s time to head off to the show, but before you can go everything needs to be loaded into the truck and trailer. You get a supply of feed and hay, load some bedding, put in a fan, add the trimming stand and now it’s time for the show box. Packing the show box requires you to be prepared and think ahead for the things you know you will need and the stuff you wish you had in case something goes wrong. Having the supplies you need ready and organized in your box will make being at the show that much easier and stress free.
Show boxes come in different shapes, sizes, and colors but they should all contain the basic supplies to groom and take care of your animal. No matter how you fit your market lamb or breeding sheep, everyone should have a good card or slicker brush, sharp hand shears, and a scrub brush and bucket to prepare them for the show. There are many different products that can be used to enhance the look of a lamb on show day but the most important thing for slick shorn lambs is to keep their skin hydrated. Moisturizing sprays can help make slick shorn lambs handle smoother and fresher. Avoid washing lambs daily with soaps; this will only dry their hide out more. Also fly spray is a must! Lambs that are slick shorn no longer have wool to protect them from biting flies.
While at the show and using the wash rack, it is always a good plan to have your own hose and nozzle. Keep a Y Hose connector in your show box incase faucet space is limited on the wash rack. Rubber boots are a must but an extra pair of dry socks is a good plan in case a water fight breaks out! Towels and disinfecting wipes are also excellent things to have on hand during the show to clean up messes, just don’t take your mom’s good hand towels from home.
Having the right tool for the job is important if you need to repair something. A flat headed and Philips screw driver, a good set of pliers, bailing wire, and zip ties are handy in any situation. Plus don’t forget duct tape! Keep a pair of scissors, pencils, and markers handy in a small box along with some safety pins and an extra hair tie for you girls. Also, it is a good idea to keep extra sets of keys for your vehicle or any security locks you may have on a trailer in your show box.
Accidents happen, keep a few first aid kit supplies readily available. Instant ice packs and burn salve along with contact solution or eye wash are fast remedies for minor pains. Don’t forget your sheep’s health too. Traveling adds a lot of stress to your animal and they may go off feed while at the show. It is important to keep your lamb hydrated, electrolytes can help. A few days before leaving home, add electrolytes to the water so the sheep is used to drinking the substance, this will also help mask the smell of the chlorinated water at the show. Keep a form of probiotics in your show box. The naturally occurring microorganisms in the probiotic will help to maintain normal digestive function during high stress times and can be used to treat diarrhea. If a sheep becomes ill with Pneumonia type symptoms, a Sulfamethazine product (in bolus form) can be given; this product will also help with bacterial scours. All of these suggested products can be bought over the counter at farm supply stores and are inexpensive ways to help provide relief to stressed lambs at the show.
Your show box is almost complete; through in an extra halter and sheep blanket. Halters can easily be misplaced or picked up by someone else while at a show. Having the extra rope halter can also come in handy in case you need to tie something down. There are many other items people may store in their show box but having these essential items listed will help you be prepared for almost any situation. Now it’s off to the show! Good luck at your County Achievement Days and look forward to seeing you all at the South Dakota State Fair.