If you’ve shown livestock for any amount of time, you know May is when things start to get real. Summer jackpots, county fairs, and major stock shows are getting closer, and this is usually the month where I start locking in my grooming routine. What you do now now can make a huge difference in how your animal looks a few months from now.
I learned early on that you can’t wait until the week before a show to focus on hair and skin care. By then, it’s often too late to fix issues like dry skin, hair loss, fungus, or ringworm. And if you’ve ever dealt with ringworm spreading through the barn, you know how frustrating that can be—especially when animals are being washed, clipped, and hauled more often.
That’s why one product I always keep on hand this time of year is Ring Out Shampoo. It helps clean the skin while helping prevent ringworm, scarring, hair loss, and other skin issues that can quickly set your animal back during show season.
My May washing routine
Once temperatures start rising, I try to stay consistent without over-washing.
- Cattle: Washed multiple times a week depending on hair goals and weather
- Sheep & Goats: Bathed as needed to keep skin clean and healthy
- Swine: Washed regularly while making sure skin doesn’t dry out
The biggest thing I’ve learned? More washing doesn’t always equal better hair. Healthy skin always comes first.
Hair growth prep
May is when I really focus on building hair and maintaining coat quality.
- Keep fans running
- Blow out cattle regularly
- Keep animals cool
- Stay on top of nutrition
- Watch for dry patches or irritation early
Good hair takes time—and consistency.
Clipping and equipment care
This is also when I start paying more attention to clipping schedules and keeping all my equipment clean. Dirty blades, brushes, combs, and halters can spread bacteria, fungus, and ringworm faster than most people realize.
That’s why I regularly sanitize my clippers, brushes, grooming tools, pens, and equipment with ProH. It helps keep my equipment cleaner and gives me peace of mind when I’m using the same tools throughout show season.
- Sanitize clipper blades after use
- Clean brushes and combs weekly
- Wash halters and grooming supplies
- Keep pens and stalls clean
It only takes one dirty tool to create a bigger problem later.
Don’t ignore skin problems
If you notice bald spots, flaky skin, irritation, or anything unusual—handle it early. Waiting almost always makes things worse.
From one show family to another, May is where a lot of winning starts. Stay consistent now, protect your animals’ skin, and all the hard work will show once you step into the ring this summer.
