Hehe I Have A Problem!

[4-H_Kid07]

I have a problem with my show steers. One walks to slow, and the other if fine but kicks the show stick when you touch his feet. and I am afraid when we are in the show ring that he is going to kick another steer. I mean he kicks way to his side. HELP? what can I do to make him stop. I am practicing with him and everything.

 

[Colorado2008]

Just keep practicing with him. I've known some to hate the showstick forever, then one day they are fine with it. Some it just takes longer than others. He may be kicking at it becuase it is hurting him though. If you have a showstick that is not as pointy at the end, you might try that.

For the one that walks slow, all that I've known to do is either just keep walking, or have someone behind him to help you along if he stops and won't go any further.

Good luck :D

 

[cowgirlxupx1034]

Yeah, the only really good way to solve a problem with calves is to work it out. My steer doesn't really like to walk and lately he's been having a really bad habit of throwing his head back so he doesn't have to walk and when you do get him to walk he almost runs you over and only walks 5 feet. So we've been working with him 30 mins. in the morning and 30 mins at night and he's been getting better.

 

[cattleluvr18]

i had a calf that kept kickin but once it got in the show ring, it didnt. they always seem to change in the ring. as for the slow one, just keep working with it. maybe have someone follow you and be poking it in the butt? or something like that.

 

[vs_cattle]

Just keep workin with him sooner or later he should stop he should get use to the show stick

 

[farmwife]

I've had several kickers in my day. Though it may not be the best method. When a calf kicks the stick, I pop it back with the stick. Easy at first and then harder is it continues to kick. I don't rare back and whack the snot out of them though. Eventually, you condition them to realize that when they kick, they get kicked back. It works!! As for him kicking another steer, typically this just isn't the case. They are usually not threatened by another animal just foreign things like showsticks, blowers, clippers, etc. Main thing is that it just takes time and a whole lotta patience.

 

[Keren]

For the slow one, as people have said get someone behind you to hit him up. Or, try to have him follow another steer.

For the one that doesn't like the cane, also as others have said just keep working with him and eventually he might get used to it.

But keep in mind that some animals will simply never accept the cane. Be prepared for this possibility, and learn to set him up using pressure on the halter.

Good luck!

 

[jkwilson]

Best way I've seen to stop the kicking is to put them in the grooming chute and annoy them with the hose. You can hit them with a burst of water anyplace while you are sitting in a lawn chair, and there's nothing for them to kick. Most will eventually give up after kicking at the water for a while.

 

[Grand Chaser]

I'm sure you already know this but if you stop your calf with his front feet set up then his back ones will fall into place... this will limit your use with the show stick.

but i've had sooo many slow lazy walkers btu once they got to a show it was hard to stop them that might be his case also

 

[4-H_Kid07]

IDK how to set them up with my feet. How do I?

 

[*Cowgirl*]

IDK how to set them up with my feet. How do I?

I just do the front with my feet. Pretty much just push on them just like you would with a show stick

 

[aussie_cowgirl]

OK. if you want to use a stick and your animal has a problem with them, make sure you run the stick down the animals leg before you go and stab him between the toes. thats where most people go wrong. if hes still funny about it, just keep practising.

i used to use another way with animals (i showed for a school so show canes were sometimes in short supply) and the more you practise this technique with the animal, the better he will get at it. when you go to pull up, hold his head up high and stop suddenly. 99% of the time he will stop square. this make take a few turns to master but after a while, you will see the animal actually doing it himself.

also. if hes not square, turn his head to the side with the leg you want to move back, and push gently back. again. after a while, all the animal will need is slight push and he will square himself up.

 

[Grand Chaser]

IDK how to set them up with my feet. How do I?

i don't even use my feet hardly anymore. if you watch how your steer walks and stop him when his one foot is planted and the other is comming down then you won't have to use your feet OR the show stick... i hope that made sence... but when you stop his front feet even then 90% of the time his back feet will set up too. thats how i do it at least and it's worked for me!

 

[Aggie Chick]

A guy I know ties plastic bags to their feet to get them used to their feet being messed with...

I don't know how effective it is, but it seems to work for him.