show steer up":fp35k5fs said:
chris, your grandson is going to have to get use to a long show stick. He has to be able to reach the back leggs with no problem. Have him walk around the house with it in walking show position, about an hour a day. I did this with my kids then had them lead there steers with show stick in hand. It needs to be like second nature to them.
About two months before our fair my kids need to have a show stick in their hand at all times while working their animals. when they wash their animals and the steer moves out of show stance, they set them back up. This traines the steer and the child at the same time. We have two sets of show sticks. One for fair and one for every day use. In the beginning my kids were not to happy, now that they have been showing for a few years, you almost never see them without them
Give it a try and see if it helps.
Doesnt happen very often, but I'm going to disagree with you here ;-)
If he cant handle a long cane, dont worry about it.
Teach him to set the back feet by 'rocking' the animal - using pressure on the halter and shifting his body weight back or forward. He can use his cane for the front feet and to scratch the animal.
I am only 1.5 metres and I cut the end of my show canes to make them my size. When I am showing large animals (bulls, cows, older heifers) I cant reach the back legs, so I rock them (most of the young animals I rock as well) then use the cane or my feet to set the front feet.
Tell your son congratulations! Having fun is the priority at this stage!