How to Clip Pigs for Show

Pigs are often shown at 4H fairs and other types of animal shows. Preparing your pig for a show requires making it look as presentable as possible. One of the preparation methods involves clipping old, ratted and dirty hair from the pig's body. While clipping is a relatively simple process, your pig is a living animal that may not take kindly to being clipped. You must also make sure your clipping doesn't violate your show rules. Read the rules before clipping and never clip the hair if it is against the show's rules or clip your pig's hair shorter than is allowable. Begin the clipping process a month before the show.

Things You'll Need

  • Copy of show rules
  • Large metal tub
  • Hose
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Towel
  • Collar
  • Rope
  • Clippers
  • Clipper guards
  • Scissors
  • Brush
  • Pig hair oil
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Place your pig in a large metal tub on a warm day or in a well-heated barn. Use a helper who the pig knows and trusts to help calm the pig if it gets nervous or upset during the washing.

    • 2

      Rinse the pig's body with your hose to get it wet. Immediately stop if the pig becomes panicked or violent.

    • 3

      Scrub the pig's hair gently with a pig shampoo -- a "bluing" shampoo for white pigs -- purchased from a pet shop. Let it sit for five to seven minutes. Rinse it into the hair carefully and rinse it out with your hose. Apply the pig conditioner in the same way and rinse it out. Towel dry the hair.

    • 4

      Place the collar on your pig and tie it to a sturdy post to keep it from running during the clipping process. Have your helper keep him calm during the process. Take a break or stop when the pig becomes agitated.

    • 5

      Place an 0A guard on your clipper. Clip the hair on the pig's back, moving against the grain of the hair to clip it more effectively. Carefully clip all of the hair on the pig's back and then switch to a 0 guard.

    • 6

      Remove the hair from the pig's shoulder with your clippers and the 0 guard. Use these variable guards to blend the longer hair areas into shorter hair areas. This method will give your pig a clean, even coat.

    • 7

      Switch to a 00 guard, then clip the hair on the face, jaw and jowl areas. Blend the hair around the neck line, back and shoulders into each other to make them all the same length. Clip the long hairs around the pig's nose and mouth.

    • 8

      Remove the guard and clip the longer-haired areas under the jaw, chest and belly to create a clean appearance. Continue to move against the grain of the hair to clip it off easily. Take breaks every few minutes to give your pig a rest. Stop for the day if you or the pig are getting tired.

    • 9

      Clip all the hair to the skin underneath the pig. Start at the chin, move to the chest and to the belly.

    • 10

      Put the 00 guard back on the clippers and cut the hair on the pig's sides. Use this method to blend the side hair with the top and bottom hair on your pig.

    • 11

      Put on the 0 or 00 guards and clip the ears and tail. Remove the long stray hairs on the ears and the tail using your clippers; cut the hair evenly so that the its appearance is smooth.

    • 12

      Look over the pig's body to find stray hairs you may have missed. Examine the areas behind its knees as these can be hard to clip. Clip from multiple angles to get the hair.

    • 13

      Remove remaining stray hairs with scissors.

    • 14

      Brush the pig with the grain of the hair to help set its coat back down to normal.

    • 15

      Apply pig hair oil daily, beginning two weeks before the show. This will darken the skin and make the pig's hair shiny.

    • 16

      Wash your pig the morning of the show with shampoo and conditioner, dry it with a towel and brush its hair. Keep the pig somewhere warm, safe and clean to keep its coat looking new and fresh.