The judge and veterinarian both said that since a few of their "baby teeth" had been replaced by "yearling teeth," they were over a year old and ineligible to participate in the competitions. They were under a year old and we had the documents from a respected breeder to prove it. Nothing can be done now, but we would like some second opinions. We were extremely dissatisfied with the situation since, having worked VERY hard for the past 6 months, our goats were disqualified in an instant. What kind of message is that sending to other young 4-H members?
Note: the rule book stated that a goat with yearling teeth grown in or who were over a year old would be immediately disqualified. It did not specify how many yearling teeth must be present, and our goats had many baby teeth left.
2006-06-30 18:56:35 · 11 answers · asked by Katie 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
First, just to clearify, there is only one set of yearling teeth, the next ones would be two-year old teeth, the following three-year old, etc. They only lose two teeth per year. Visit www.fiascofarm.com for a detailed photo. Try to use this as yet another learning experience for your 4-H members, how you handle the situation will probably be a bigger lesson then anything they would have learned participating. It appears that the rules were correctly applied in this case, instead of hating the messanger maybe you should look at the breeder or discover another reason why the teeth don't correlate with the age. I'm sure that vet would be more then impressed if you went back and tried to work together to discover the problem (and you're kids would be even more impressed). Maybe they broke off the tooth on a salt block, etc.
2006-07-02 10:54:56 · answer #1 · answered by Leslie W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To quote the rule, "Note: the rule book stated that a goat with yearling teeth grown in or who were over a year old would be immediately disqualified."
The word OR is the "gotcha". Over a year old, OR with yearling teeth. Since the goats had yearling teeth, this rule disqualifies them.
The message it "sends" is that the rules are the rules and they must be followed. Excellent preparation for facing the real world. There are many rules in life that may not make sense to everyone, but they are the rules.
2006-07-01 02:08:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The presense of yearling teeth does make a difference what class they're in. An animal that is a year old competing with those less than a year old may have an advantage of size and scale. The rules are tough sometimes. The message it should send is rules are rules - if it specifies no yearling teeth then that will be upheld. There are people in every species who lie and cheat to win too...in order to keep it fair for all there has to be rules. It sucks to be DQ'd.
2006-07-01 02:26:37 · answer #3 · answered by Jan H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the only thing I can say is rules are rules. Since your goat had it's yearling teeth it was not allowed in, it's stated in the rule book. the or is the kicker. it doesn't matter if your goat is under a year or not since it has it's yearling teeth. I'm sorry that this happened and you worked hard but that's the way the cookie crumbles.
2006-07-01 02:48:27 · answer #4 · answered by Summer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This chart tells when they get their teeth, it say 'around' 12 months, but then more adult teeth make them 2 year olds.
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/age.htm
I'm sure that was a heartbreaker! The same type of problem is with horses, that women can't show stallions in many breed shows...HUH!
I guess it ticks me the most when famous breeders are allowed to break rules! Openly! but, less popular breeders are held to count on the smallest infractions.
I run into it in dog shows, when the judge doesn't even look at the dog..he just looks at the breeder/handler, and awards without giving equal chance..
I guess showing animals isn't a very fair sport.. Its too bad that youngsters have to learn this.
2006-07-01 03:38:45 · answer #5 · answered by Chetco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to hear that you worked so hard for so long and wasn't given a fair chance in winning the contest. I suppose that in the future, you need to bring this situation to the attention of the judges before the contests starts so that you know for sure you will be treated fairly.
I think it's great that young people are taking an active part in an activity such as 4-H. It builds great character and shows that you are responsible, hardworking and caring. Best of luck at next years fair.
2006-07-01 02:02:10 · answer #6 · answered by formerlypth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the judges and vet should have checked out the goats papers and suggested an alternative entrance for them maybe grooming or something its not that hard if they spend any time around goats to tell the difference. sounds a little rigid for 4-h to me.
2006-07-01 02:13:01 · answer #7 · answered by meltodd36 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Girl...life's not fair. If it was we'd all be living on Neverland Ranch. Sorry to hear of your situation. I guess I never got to appreciate the work that went into 4H I just liked to mock my friend who raised rabbits for it.
2006-07-01 02:00:53 · answer #8 · answered by alwaysmoose 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is some bull **** its lik i got some of my adult teeth really young but that proves nothing. some thing just mature faster then others and if they are to stupid to no that then **** them. o and im sry that happened
2006-07-01 02:02:26 · answer #9 · answered by brokenhearted48948 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's your first real life lesson thanks to 4 H. Life isn't fair, sometimes you get the short end and you can't fix it. You have to suck it up and move on because dwelling on it solves nothing.
2006-07-01 04:10:18 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋