How do you propose "leading" him to water when he's locked up with all fours? I realize that using an ATV to drag a steer isn't going to make a positive impact on him. I also know that having him lock-up in the middle of the cow pasture where I'm 100 yards or more from the nearest tree to tie him to for the night is a situation that requires some action which doesn't allow me many options. I either let him go, or get him back to his pen any way I can.
This year has been a real experience for us. We've only done this for three years and plan on doing it for many more. We've been blessed with two previous steer projects that broke easy enough. This year started out the same. My 13 year old daughter could lead the calf into the stock trailer with slack still in the lead rope. (Until he "changed")
We have always gone through the same procedures for breaking. Tying, leading to feed and water, lots of TLC. We done the same this year. The steer walked as easy as a poodle for thirty days. We never whipped him or lost our temper. My daughter handled him with the "patience of Job".
And then, like I've said numerous times, like a light switch flipping one day; he decided he wanted to stop walking after she got him a quarter mile from the barn. He caught easily up to that point and walked easy. Now, there's no catching him easy, and I think he'd stay tied up and wither away before he'd let you lead him anywhere. (wheter to water or feed)
I guess my point blank question is: I realize there are some calves that are near impossilbe to break. But, have any of you ever had a situation like mine occur after the calf was VERY broke?