Tricks to Showing

[whoacassie]

Hi everyone! My name's Cassie and I'm new to this website. I have one rabbit named Pilot, he's a broken blue steel Mini Lop.

Now that I've got introductions over with, I was wondering if anyonehere had sometips on showing rabbits?Pilot is goinginto his first show, a4-H one, so that I have to handle him while the judges watch.He isn't taking well tohaving his feet on my chest while my arm holds his shoulders, and I can definitely see why. I've tried blowing on his tummy(it supposedly calms them) but it didn't work.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[clevername]

Hey welcome to the forum. It's a small world.

I'd suggest handling your bun a little more often in preparation leading up to a show. Usually if you start a couple weeks in advance just playing with your bunny, picking them up and grooming them for short periods of time they begin to become more receptive to being handled--especially if you combine those actions with treats and playtime.

Also you might want to try carrying your rabbit in a "football hold" with the weight of its body resting on your forearm and his head tucked under your arm facing backwards. A lot of rabbit books have a diagram for this, I'm sorry if my explanation is lacking. In general I my rabbits seem to find this carrying method less stressful.

You're bunny is beautiful btw. I just love brokens!

 

[pamnock]

You''ll gain more control by placing your index finger between the ears and grasping around the ears rather than attempting to control your rabbit by holding it by it's shoulders (although this type of hold is commonly used on Netherland Dwarfs because of their small size).

This site has photos http://www.threelittleladiesrabbitry.com/4hshowmanship.php

I've judged a lot of 4-H showmanship competitions, and I'd be glad to help with any other additional questions you have.

Pam

 

[whoacassie]

clevername wrote:

Hey welcome to the forum. It's a small world.

I'd suggest handling your bun a little more often in preparation leading up to a show. Usually if you start a couple weeks in advance just playing with your bunny, picking them up and grooming them for short periods of time they begin to become more receptive to being handled--especially if you combine those actions with treats and playtime.

Also you might want to try carrying your rabbit in a "football hold" with the weight of its body resting on your forearm and his head tucked under your arm facing backwards. A lot of rabbit books have a diagram for this, I'm sorry if my explanation is lacking. In general I my rabbits seem to find this carrying method less stressful.

You're bunny is beautiful btw. I just love brokens!

I actually have a how-to of that in my 4-H book and he has no problem with being held that way. I actually handle him daily as he's got to the stage where he's always wanting a cuddle. I suppose I can try to pick him up even more, thank you for the advice. And thank you!

 

[whoacassie]

pamnock wrote:

You''ll gain more control by placing your index finger between the ears and grasping around the ears rather than attempting to control your rabbit by holding it by it's shoulders (although this type of hold is commonly used on Netherland Dwarfs because of their small size).

This site has photos http://www.threelittleladiesrabbitry.com/4hshowmanship.php

I've judged a lot of 4-H showmanship competitions, and I'd be glad to help with any other additional questions you have.

Pam

I've also tried that method as that website is very helpful. It doesn't seem to be a problem with his head and feet being secure, I think it's just the feeling of being on his back. He'll be calm for a minute and then he'll realize how he's laying and he'll twist until I'm forced to drop him on the table.

It's like I do every proper way of handling him but he just won't cooperate. Are there some bunnies that just never get comfortable with it?

 

[pamnock]

Yes, there are some rabbits that never get comfortable with being held on their backs. Lops are easier because they have more ear to hold onto and generally aren't as bad as breeds like Tans, which can be very difficult.

My son had his hands full this year with a very uncooperative Dwarf Hotot that didn't like to be held on his back, but he still got a blue ribbon

A little extra pressure applied at the base of the ears gives more control as well as holding the rabbit as close and securely to you as possible. Holding by the shoulders gives very little control and allows him to flip back over easier. Blowing into the stomach doesn't help.

Pam

 

[whoacassie]

pamnock wrote:

Yes, there are some rabbits that never get comfortable with being held on their backs. Lops are easier because they have more ear to hold onto and generally aren't as bad as breeds like Tans, which can be very difficult.

My son had his hands full this year with a very uncooperative Dwarf Hotot that didn't like to be held on his back, but he still got a blue ribbon

A little extra pressure applied at the base of the ears gives more control as well as holding the rabbit as close and securely to you as possible. Holding by the shoulders gives very little control and allows him to flip back over easier. Blowing into the stomach doesn't help.

Pam

Thanks very much Pam! He's not responding well at all, still, but hopefully he'll get used to it soon. I'll just try to hold onto him more securely, I just always feel like I'm hurting him. :/

Oh wow, that gives me some hope! I don't think I have very much competition so that's a plus as well.