What to Pack for Your First Goat Show: The Ultimate Checklist

Getting ready for a goat show can be a little (or a lot) overwhelming, especially if it’s your first one. After recently surviving my own debut in the show ring, I learned fast what I wished I had packed, what I was glad I brought, and what I’ll never forget again.

Whether you’re brand new to showing or just want a master checklist to reference before hitting the road, here’s everything I bring (or wish I had brought) to a show.

ADGA Goat Show Packing List

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• Hay feeder bags

• Hay

• Grain

• Alfalfa pellets

• Sunflower seeds

• Food bowls (for the milk stands)

• Water buckets

• Minerals

• Baking soda (if provided at home)

• Feeding container for minerals and baking soda

• Animal crackers (because they deserve treats)

• Scissors

• Clippers

• 4FC Clipper blade

• 10 Clipper blade

• 40 Clipper blade

• Blade oil

• Cooling spray for clipper blades

• Brushes

• Razors

• Shaving cream

• Goat Shampoo

• Show shine

• Conditioning spray

• Lots of Towels

• Paper towels

• Water hose

• Water hose nozzle

• Fight Bac spray

• Milking soap (to clean the udder pre-milking) or use pre-milking teat spray, wipes, or dip

• Milking wash bucket

• Milk bucket (or machine if you prefer)

• Registration papers for each animal

• Banner or farm sign (to rep your farm!)

• Show whites (pants and shirt—no shorts allowed!)

• Other comfortable clothes for breaks (shorts if it’s hot!)

• Show collars

• Leashes

• Wagon (trust me, don’t leave it at home)

• Portable foldable Milk stand (yes, bring it)

• Extension cords

• Fans (battery-powered are ideal, plug-in fans work too)

• Power strip or surge protector

• Lawn chairs (you’ll want them)

• Ice chest with drinks and snacks

• Small table (for milking, grooming, feed, or snacks)

• Zip ties and bungee cords (for securing just about anything)

• Privacy/Bio Security tarps (for privacy between animal stalls)

• Sanitizing spray (to clean the pen before animals go in)

• Baby wipes

• Hand sanitizer

• Tarp (trailer floor and privacy between stalls)

• Wood shavings (bedding for the trailer and fairgrounds if not provided)

First-Aid Kit - Goat Show Packing List

• For Goats:

• Electrolytes

• Thermometer

• Drench gun or syringe

• Baking Soda

• Vitamin B Paste

• Probiotic Paste

• Iodine

• Vet wrap

• Gauze

• Clippers (for wound prep)

• Blood stop powder

• Scissors

• Activated charcoal

• Hoof trimmers

• Copy of your vet’s number and any animal health papers

• For Humans:

• Band-aids

• Antiseptic wipes

• Tweezers

• Ibuprofen

• Electrolyte packets

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Blister pads

• Medical tape

• Rehydration drinks or packets

Tips for Show Day

• Label everything—buckets, brushes, feed tubs. Things walk off easily at shows.

• Bring more water than you think you’ll need. Some venues don’t have easy access to hoses or potable water.

• Pack your show clothes separately. You don’t want them covered in goat hair or hay dust before you get to the ring.

• Make a checklist ahead of time. Use this post as your base and customize it depending on the venue and how many animals you’re taking.

If you’re feeling stressed trying to get everything together—breathe. It’s a lot, but every show makes you more prepared for the next one. I definitely learned the hard way by forgetting my milk stand and leaving my hay-filled wagon at home. Never again.

Print this goat show packing list, tape it to your trailer, or save it to your phone before your next ADGA show. And if you’re brand new to the show world: welcome. You’ll do great.