Most people walk into a pen and start picking a winner.
That’s the first mistake. It doesn’t.
It starts with understanding what you’re looking at in the first place. And that’s where most people go wrong.
The Habit That Holds People Back
When someone new—or even experienced—walks into a pen, they usually do one thing first:
They look for the best one.
They don’t slow down.
They don’t break anything down.
They just try to pick a winner.
We've all done it. The problem is if you don’t understand why one is better, you’re just guessing.
What You Should Be Doing Instead
Before you ever compare animals, you need a baseline.
You need to understand what correct structure looks like, how an animal should move and function, where power and balance come from, and what actually matters for the purpose of that animal. Because without that, everything becomes opinion.
Where This Shows Up
You’ll see it all the time. Someone says:
“I just like that one better.”
That’s not judging—that’s preference.
And preference doesn’t build a program.
Understanding does.
Why It Matters Beyond the Ring
This isn’t just about placing a class.
If you don’t understand how to evaluate livestock you’re going to struggle with selecting breeding stock, buying correctly, identifying problems early, and making consistent progress
Judging is just the visible part of a much bigger skill.
The Reality
You don’t get better at judging by looking at more animals. You get better by understanding what you’re seeing. Once that clicks, everything changes.
Animals start to make more sense.
Decisions get easier.
And you stop second-guessing yourself.
Final Thoughts
Before you worry about picking winners—
Make sure you understand what “correct” actually looks like. Because judging isn’t about being right. It’s about being consistent. And consistency starts with understanding.
What's the most important part of judging to you? I'd love to hear what you prefer to look for first in an animal. Reply to this newsletter or leave a comment below.
