Showing a Market Hog

Showing a Market Hog

Learn how to work with a hog and get ready for the show.

I used to show Market Hogs when I was little, but then I took a break. During this break, I decided to do all the sports that was offered, then when I got a little older, I took on dance. I stopped dancing in 9th Grade, and decided to go back to my roots of showing livestock. The years that I showed livestock were full of blood, sweat, and tears, but in the end, it was worth it. There are many steps you have to take to raise and show a Market Hog. 

What is a Market Hog? 

A Market Hog is a hog that is raised with the outcome being butchering. You have to make sure the hog doesn't have more muscle than it does fat, and vice versa. You want to have an equal amount of both, and to do so, you have to place the hog on a strict food plan. If you don't keep an eye on it, the hog's growth and development can be hindered.

How do you get a Market Hog show ready?
At the show, there are two ways that the hogs are judged. One way is weight class, where all of the hogs that are around the same weight come together and are judged based on their looks, and the other is showmanship, which is based on the owner of the hog and how they go about showing their hog. To get ready for the show you have to prepare months in advance.

To begin with this adventure, you need to follow these steps.

You will have to purchase a hog from a breeder. This breeder can be locally or way across the US. It just depends on how much you are willing to spend.

You will need proper shelter for your hog. If the hog doesn't have a place they can sit in the mud, root up roots, and sleep, they are going to be unhappy.

You will also need supplies. These supplies include a pig whip, to help when you are walking your hog, a brush, to tame their wild hair, and feed, because they have to eat unless you want to work an ornery hog. You will need a feeder to put their feed in, so they can get to eat as they please. 

After you get your hog home, you should follow these tips to maintain them and get ready for the show.

Keep your hog healthy. 

Most hogs are prone to disease, so you have to make sure they aren't carriers. When I showed hogs, it was required that you get your hog tested and vaccinated before you could even step into the show ring. 

Keep a daily routine.

Every day, you should go to the pen, and walk your hog. Just like a dog needs walking sometimes, a hog does too. You don't want your hog to run away from you in the show ring. You have to find an object and place in the center of the pen and pretend as if it is the judge. I used to use the big pecan tree as my mock judge. You have to practice walking your hog, making sure the hog is in between you and the judge, at all times. You also will need to brush your hog, and try to keep it clean. Appearance is one of the main things judges look at when they are in the ring. You have to make sure that your hog has enough food and water at all times. I would always feed my hog in the mornings and then again at night. Hogs require lots of water, to drink, and to play in. 

Remember that showing hogs is not all about the check you get after you sell them.

The bond you make between you and your hog is very tight. You will get attached, I know this from personal experience. Showing hogs teaches you responsibility, patience, and compassion. You get to watch an animal grow, and you can say that you did it all on your own. 

All of these steps are preparation for the show.
While at the show, you have to use all of these steps to do good. You have to make sure your hog walks right, that your hog is clean and freshly cut, and that you are on your A-game. If any of these are not met, you will not do good, therefore making you place low.

Showing Market Hogs is truly a special experience. If you ever get the chance to show or go watch a show, take it. It will change your perspective on showing livestock and it will help you understand some of the things that are happening in the agricultural world today.