Growing up around livestock and stock shows is a completely different lifestyle than most kids get to have growing up. It comes with an extra set of unofficial rules and regulations that every livestock person must learn to love and live by.
1. Your needs come last.
Whether it be waking up every hour to bottle feed and change the diaper of a baby goat who's mother can't care for it or spreading straw in negative 10-degree weather, your discomfort is never as important as keeping your animals safe and comfortable at all times. It may not be fun at times, but there's absolutely nothing more amazing than hearing the life come back into a two-day old chick's peep after you spend hours drip feeding it electrolytes.
2. Shoes are made to step in sh*t.
Clothes, skin, and cars can all be washed. Getting dirty and working hard are the best memories you could ever make. Don't pass up an opportunity, just to keep clean. Sure, we all have our fancy outfits that we only wear on special occasions. But is it really going to hurt anyone if it gets a little dirty?
2. Cowboy Up.
We've all been stepped on, bruised, bit, kicked, and drug through the barn. Yeah, it hurts. You have to get over it because there’s work to do. Just last year, my pig busted my leg five hours before the show. I swelled up like a balloon and couldn't even get the boot off of my fat foot. That didn't stop me from showing my pigs that night with a huge smile on my face.
3. Bling can fix everything.
Headbands, necklaces, jeans, halters, earrings, tops, bracelets, makeup, show sticks, and boots. Everything can come with a little bit of sparkle on it. Not only do rhinestones and sequins catch the judge's eye, but also the cute beef barn guys, and you'll feel awesome about yourself! 10/10 would recommend glitter for everything.
4. Being alone isn't so lonely.
I used to work alone for a few hours a day in the barn, but it definitely didn't feel like it. I would chatter away at the horses, asking about their day and if they like their hay. Of course, they won't be able to actually answer me, but horses are the best at listening to your problems and not complaining when you suck at singing. If I had it my way, I would hang out more with livestock than I would with humans.
5. Some nice words and a snack help every foul mood.
It's the most well-known fact about animals: if they're not behaving, talk to them softly and give them some extra feed. The same goes for humans. Except alfalfa usually isn't quite going to cut it.
6. Friendships come with two and four legs.
After spending all year working with your livestock, you develop a strong bond and truly understand one another. By the end of the year, you know your animal’s body language and can have a full conversation with them, though they don’t actually speak. Despite becoming BFFs with my animals, I have gained some of my best friends through raising and showing livestock. Each member of the cattle barn has become one huge family. We support and love each other with and without livestock being involved, but definitely get a competitive edge during the final drive of the show.
7. Roll with the punches and keep on trucking.
You won't win every time. Sometimes you might even place last in the class. Sometimes your animal will act up. Sometimes you won't know the answer to the judge's question about your livestock. But every single time you step in the 4-H barn and especially the show ring, people are watching you. Whether it be your 4-H leader, your family, or a younger member that is looking for guidance. Keep your cool, keep smiling, and always say please and thank you.
8. Never get in the middle of a fight.
Pigs fight a lot. When they do, you just have to let them settle it themselves. My first year at the county fair, one of the hog barn staff told me to "get back darling, they'll rip your leg clean off." Now I know he was exaggerating a lot; but because he said that, I stayed back and didn't get hurt. I follow that same advice when there's drama going on in my friend group or family and definitely when the hogs are going at it. I still have both my legs, too!
