Halter Breaking Young Calves

[Victoria]

I've got two calves I am halter breaking. I decided since it has to be done, earlier would be easier. The one calf who is about 3 weeks old is doing really well, stands tied nicely and walks without much fuss. The 2 week old one however is another story. She plants her feet in when I try to lead her even when leading with her mother or when her mother is tied and we are walking to her. I've tied her to a post and she pulls back non-stop. I don't want to injure her of course and I am also wondering how long she should be tied. Basically I am looking for any ideas of how to get her moving better and in halter training at such a young age in general.
Right now I am taking them for a short walk (or attempting in the one case :lol: ), I tie them with their mothers and brush them and then let them go. I figure that their attention spans at that age are probably pretty short and I should keep the sessions short but regular.
They are both friendly, even the stubborn one happily puts her halter on. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Ryan]

I think you are on the right track. I think just being patient and giving the calf time will do the trick. I've never really tried to break one at that young of an age, usually just let them follow mom with a kid at the end of a long lead. But regular, calm, sessions working with the calf should do the trick.

Good Luck

Ryan

 

[Victoria]

Thanks Ryan. I've been wondering if maybe she isn't just too young...
I wish she'd nicely follow her mother on a long lead! :lol:

 

[Angus Cattle Shower]

What I've been doing with my two and a half week old calf, is I've put the halter on her, and one on her momma (she is a show cow) and led the momma, and calf will tag along. Once they get thwe feel of the halters, they will let you lead them.

Just my two cents, and a little bit of experience.

 

[jaydill]

I think you are on the right track. I think just being patient and giving the calf time will do the trick. I've never really tried to break one at that young of an age, usually just let them follow mom with a kid at the end of a long lead. But regular, calm, sessions working with the calf should do the trick.

Good Luck

Ryan

Ryan's hit the nail on the head. Just be patient, keep doing what you're doing and eventually she'll come around.

 

[kaneranch]

Some calves are just more stubborn than others. Good thing you are doing this now and not when she is 600+ pounds. What worked for mine was get more that one person on the lead rope and walk here.
kaneranch

 

[Victoria]

Angus Cattle Shower - I did let her drag around her halter for a few days. If I lead her mother away she just waves good-bye! :lol:

kaneranch - That's what I decided as soon as they were born, easier to fight with them when they are still little.

Thanks jaydill sometimes it's just nice to feel like you're moving in the right direction. These are the first young calves I've worked on.

Before I left for work today and did a search on halter breaking on here and found a post from dun about looping a rope around the butt. I used to do it with foals so I don't know why I hadn't thought of it. So I put the rope around her butt and gave a little pull and down she went. Tried it again and as soon as there was a little pressure she walked along really nicely. I'm pulling the lead at the same time so hopefully she'll start associating the two and I can take off the butt rope. At least we are moving, that's a step in the right direction! ;-)

 

[jaydill]

At least we are moving, that's a step in the right direction! ;-)

No pun intended? :lol:

 

[Victoria]

Of course not! ;-) :lol: