The appearance of any animal can be improved or hurt by the quality of a fitting job. Fitting doesn't have to be too complex. Sometimes being simple is easier for you and for your goat.
Washing your goat is not always necessary, but it can be beneficial. If washing is done, use a mild soap sparingly, rinse the animal thoroughly and dry the goat completely. You can use Orvus, Woolite, Bright Lights for goats that have dirty stains. Remember that wasing removes the natural oils and luster in the goat's skin and hair, and it removes some of the resistance to fungus.
If at all possible, blow the goats out with a cattle blower; then wash the dirty spots with a wet rag or a wet-wipe.
Brushing with a stiff brush on a regular basis is usually all that is needed on clean goats. The brushing action removes all of the dead hair and dirt on the goat. Rice-root brushes work best.
If you have washed your goat, during the warmer months you can let them air dry. Be careful if you leave your animal tied up to NEVER leave them unattended. In the cooler months it is best to use a Blow Dryer to get them dryer faster. A blow dryer is also good for a quick cleaning of bedding out of the animals coats before the show.
Once the goat is clean it is time to shear your goat. Shearing must be done to match show rules, and should be done a week to ten days prior to show to allow clipper tracks to even out and the pink skin to become less apparent. While shearing, the clippers should run parallel to the length of the body rather than making vertical motions. The key to shearing is using your off hand to keep the skin tight. Hair below the knees and hocks should NOT be shorn, and the hair on the end of the tail should be bobbed. Small animal clippers may be needed to clip closely around the eyes, ears, pasterns, or delicate areas on the goat.
Remember that you will need to oil/lube your blades and disinfect between goats. WD-40 works well on lubing them. You can use a disinfectant spray or Nolvason between animals.
If you are shearing in the colder winter months, you should cover your goat with a full-size blanket and double up if necessary. Do not use a lamb sock. A clean, well bedded pen should be provided for the goat to keep him clean and dry.
Remember that you should check your animals hooves to be sure that they are even and trimmed. It isn't a good idea to trim the hooves the day before or the day of the show, as if you take too much off and their feet may be tender and the animal may not stand or walk correctly.
You can use a hair conditioner just prior to showing your animal to give it a slight sheen and finished look. If your animal has horns, you may wish to use a fine grit sandpaper to smooth the horns down. Apply a small amount of Purple Oil to the horns and hooves if you wish to give them an additional polish.
