{"id":12203,"date":"2016-06-09T10:28:27","date_gmt":"2016-06-09T15:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.farmandfleet.com\/blog\/?p=12203"},"modified":"2024-01-25T16:26:28","modified_gmt":"2024-01-25T22:26:28","slug":"getting-ready-showing-rabbits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.farmandfleet.com\/blog\/getting-ready-showing-rabbits\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Ready for Showing Rabbits"},"content":{"rendered":"

Follow these tips for showing rabbits at the fair with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.<\/h2>\n

Showing animals at the fair is a big part of summer for any 4-H member. When it comes to showing rabbits, there are a few things you can do to help your child get ready for the big show. Use these tips for showing rabbits from Blain’s Farm & Fleet.<\/p>\n

Before the Show<\/h3>\n

Conditioning<\/strong> – A few months prior to showing, start conditioning your rabbit for the show. This includes proper nutrition and feeding<\/a>. Always work with your veterinarian to come up with the best nutrition program for your rabbit. It’s also important to keep your rabbit well-watered before and during the fair.<\/p>\n

Grooming<\/strong> – Grooming isn’t only about making your rabbit’s coat look nice. It’s also about building a relationship and trust between the handler and the animal. With routine grooming, the rabbit will get used to being handled and won’t be so stressed out come show time. This is also a chance for the handler to learn about the rabbit’s habits and personality.<\/p>\n

Showmanship Tips<\/h3>\n

There are several things you’ll need to do to get a good score from the judges. These 4-H tips are some of the basics that can be practiced at home before the show. Practicing will make you and the rabbit more comfortable and confident in showing.<\/p>\n

1. Remove the rabbit from the carrier<\/strong> – Once you have removed the rabbit from the rabbit carrier or cage<\/a>, remember to lock it. Judges can actually dock points for not locking the carrier.<\/p>\n

2. Carry the rabbit with a proper hold<\/strong> – The first step to showing rabbits is having a proper hold. Essentially, you’ll want to tuck the rabbit like a football. Tuck the head under your arm and support the the rabbit’s weight by the same arm. As you’re approaching the judge’s table, slowly turn so the judge can see you’re correctly holding the rabbit.<\/p>\n

3. Pose the rabbit<\/strong> – The rabbit should be facing forward, toward the judge. Proceed to tell the judge the rabbit’s name or number, breed, age, sex, and variety. You can also give the judges a brief history of the breed at this time.<\/p>\n

4. Go through the judge checks\u00a0<\/strong>– Once the presentation has started, there are multiple parts of the rabbit that the judge will check.<\/p>\n