I'm interested in setting up a Obstacle course at our County Fair in Sept. The only info I've found is a video on Youtube. As far as I understand it is a timed event and the course consists of the following: loading and unloading from a trailer, entering a grooming chute, stepping over poles, walking across a tarp, haltering, going through a gate. Is there anything else? I would appreciate any tips and advice. As much as these kids work with their animals, they should get to show off and have some fun.
Obstacle course
- Thread starter okiegirl
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kfacres
Well-known member
could be a good way to get a high dollar animal hurt, especially with people running and pushing them to go faster.
I'd stick to people only obstacle courses.
I'd stick to people only obstacle courses.
knabe
Well-known member
outspoken said:
isn't that the point of the obstacle course so more than 1 person can win? the high dollar calves will not participate because they are always getting loose on a leash and still winning. what a joke. i've seen way too many high dollar calves get loose in the ring win or place high in showmanship. nobody questions the placement because the kids are from the superstar family. if someone wants to make a contest, more power to them. if the high dollar calves are too scared to participate, then boo hoo.
kfacres
Well-known member
knabe said:
high dollar is in the eye of the beholder--- It's a given the goodie two shoes won't participate-- but how about the average kid who spent 1500 on his next great breeding peice-- who also just happens to be dog tame? 1500 to a Freshman is quite a bit of true cash.
SWMO
Well-known member
Most animals behave find on the obstacle course and I don't see a problem with doing one.
Cattle load in and out of trailers every time they go to a show. The obstacle course that I have seen was judged and timed. The kids had to set up their animal in a marked area, load and unload from a trailer, walk between a couple of stacked bales of hay, and weave in and out around some barrels. I would not try to make animals walk across a tarp personally that is not something that cattle are asked to do every day.
Cattle load in and out of trailers every time they go to a show. The obstacle course that I have seen was judged and timed. The kids had to set up their animal in a marked area, load and unload from a trailer, walk between a couple of stacked bales of hay, and weave in and out around some barrels. I would not try to make animals walk across a tarp personally that is not something that cattle are asked to do every day.
heatherleblanc
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If I were put in this position, I would definitely not want to risk injuring an animal that I have put hundreds of hours and dollars into just for a game. Also, putting that much stress on them (from people running around and pushing them and yelling) is probably not the best idea right before having a show. I'd stick to something like a photography or video competition, I know it sounds cheesy, but then the kid gets a chance to show off their animal without possibly causing unnecessary stress or injury to the animal.
woltemathangus
Well-known member
outspoken said:
So your saying that a kids next best breeding piece should be put into a possible situation for injury. Sounds contradicting if you asked me. If the high dollar cattle are in the eye of the beholder, isn't some kids 1500 next great breeding piece in the eye of the beholder?
knabe
Well-known member
Showing cattle is a game.
Honestly as fat as people get heifers and bulls that does more damage than a trivial obstacle course. Horses are way more fragile than cattle. I've seen people beat on cattle, I've seen cattle jump over cement wash racks and countless other "obstacles"
I'm amazed people have no capacity to train animals to do far less than any trail horse would ever do. Training cattle is probably one of the easiest animal trainIng one will ever do.
Honestly as fat as people get heifers and bulls that does more damage than a trivial obstacle course. Horses are way more fragile than cattle. I've seen people beat on cattle, I've seen cattle jump over cement wash racks and countless other "obstacles"
I'm amazed people have no capacity to train animals to do far less than any trail horse would ever do. Training cattle is probably one of the easiest animal trainIng one will ever do.
I would say everything mentioned except the tarp is fair game..... Add a judge though so there is more then just time to it so that there is less likely to run....
Some of the high dollar calves might not do it, but shoot, some of the high dollar calves stay home from anything other then BIG shows this time of year.
Some of the high dollar calves might not do it, but shoot, some of the high dollar calves stay home from anything other then BIG shows this time of year.
kfacres
Well-known member
WAR said:
you need to go back and reread what I typed,. both posts.
flacowman
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I would only time the obstacles and not the in between moves, just a thought to keep people from running all over the barn
J2F
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This is not a national event but a county fair in the USA not China. Those who want to participate in it, will be there for them those who don't for what ever reason,don't have to. Kids work all year on a project for a week long (or maybe less) county fair and should get as many opportunity's as possible to show off their project. It is a good ideal and I applaud someone looking to get involved and start something. (clapping). My only suggestion would be as stated in previous post I would stay away from walking on or over items and have them go around barrels, in between cones and other normal activity's for cattle. One thing we do at the county fair is have a dress up contest during the coarse. You can dress yourself and animal up and compete for that prize during the event. It is never easy to start up something new, good luck <party>
I think this sounds like a great idea...am going to talk to my daughters FFA Adviser about this for next year. We have alot of kids who only show at the county level that I feel would enjoy getting to do something more with their calves (might also encourage them to work with them a little more). Our county fair is very small and the main focus is on the animals and the kids (unilike some around here that have become so commercialized). I think we could even involve the sheep and hogs in something like this. I can't say that anything that has been listed would be any more dangerous than loading a calf and hauling them all over the country to shows every weekend.....oh wait...the kids that do that don't normally have to do that themselves, they just show up when it is time to walk into the ring. Let the kids have some fun!
Glorifying Pastures
Well-known member
I think this would be a great idea, except the tarp. I will be talking with our livestock association for our fair to get one started. What ever kid would want to show their "high dollar" animal, will be up to them. We should be giving the kids ample opportunities to show off their animal at the county fair level. like said in a previous post, some kids only show at the fair level, give them more chances.
