Kids and animals just naturally go together

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Two 4-H'ers, Conagher Sanchez (left), 8, and his friend, Hunter Muzny, 10, both of Caldwell, wash Sanchez's goats before the goat judging competition. -- Photo by Mindy Poehl

Oct. 7, 2004 - Oinks, moos, snorts and baahs were heard around the hustle and bustle at the Junior Livestock Show at the Burleson County Fair.

Held on September 23, in Caldwell, the Junior Livestock Show featured poultry, fryer rabbits, commercial heifers, lambs, goats, steers and horses in the judging competitions. From 7 a.m. until mid-afternoon the juniors were busy competing and getting their animals ready for the competitions.

Hailey Slenk, a 14-year-old from Snook, had a busy day. She had to prepare her yearling filly, "Double E Impression" (nicknamed Goldie) for the horse competition at 8 p.m..

"I have to bathe her, brush and braid her hair, polish her hooves, and make her skin look shiny," Slenk said. "In a minute, I have to go and compete in the goat competition, though."

Judged by Scott McNeil, around 40 lambs competed in the market lamb show. As the different lamb classes were competing, families and siblings helped out. Lambs were being brushed and wet towels were placed over the lambs' bodies to keep their muscles cool and stiff.

"The lambs are judged on their carcass qualities," said Dusty Tittle, Burleson County Extension agent. "They also have to be appealing to the eye, which means they have to look pretty."

Winners of each competition won prizes like belt buckles and premium money, Tittle said.

Hannah Kovar, a 6th grader from Snook, has been showing rabbits for four years. She placed 15th out of 75 rabbit pens.

"I don't name my rabbits because I have a lot and it's hard for me to tell them apart. My family buys the rabbits from people who raise them and I feed and nurture them," Kovar said. "The judges feel the muscles in their backs and they are judged on their bottom meat. You want them to feel tense."

The Junior Livestock Program is important to the kid's lifestyles.

"I think the reason the Junior Livestock Program is so important is because it develops responsible kids," Tittle said. "The kids get so much out of it and it teaches them lots of things."