Where's
my MAMA?!!
This little heifer calf is being weaned at 6
months of age. She's fed good quality
feed, free choice hay and clean water, along
with salt blocks and mineral blocks, and she
is handled and worked with daily.
|
.JPG)
Building trust
Just your presence, sitting and talking to them,
soon allows the calves to have confidence in
you. You become a trusted companion.
|
|
.JPG) |
Fed by hand
When you get them eating out of your hands they
really begin to bond with you.
|
.JPG)
|
 |
|
Learning the lead is stronger
Begin by tying them to a post, being careful not
to tie the lead too long so they will not get
tangled in it.
When you handle the lead, let them fight it at
first but give them slack to help them regain
their footing. As they begin to learn to yield
to the lead, give them slack immediately
whenever they happen to take a step toward you. Always
begin by facing the calf and walking backwards
talking to them calmly, encouraging them to walk
toward you. Sometimes this can be a bit of
a rodeo, but be patient. Remember, LOTS of
TLC. |
|
|
Leave the
lead on
Training should be done in a small handling
area where you can leave the lead on for a few days.
The calves will step on the lead and learn that
they can't go if the lead won't let them.
You can step on the lead when you are trying to
catch them up until they become hand tame.
Always reward them with a scratch on the head
between the horns or a cattle cube. They
soon learn to love the attention. After
they become hand tame you can remove the lead
between training sessions.
|
.JPG) |
|
|
Learning to stand for grooming
Blue Suzy, the calf on the left, did not take
well to the grooming ritual. She danced
all over the place. To this day, she still
isn't particularly fond of being groomed, but
she has learned to accept it with no incident.
Waylon, the brown bull calf, on the other hand,
didn't object one bit. He seemed to enjoy
it, but be very cautious when working
around the rear feet, you could be kicked.
Some folks use a long handled brush to train
with, until the calf gains confidence in being
handled.
|
|
|
First bath
Always use caution washing near the feet and
legs. Most of the time they enjoy the
water, but always use caution. |
|
.JPG) |
First walk on lead
The goal is to have the calf walk at your right
elbow on a slack lead with their head up and
their neck level. Again, lots of patience
is required. At first they try to keep as
far away from you as they can. But they
soon learn to do what's asked of them. |
|
 |
Plenty of
praise
Stop often and encourage your calf with a
friendly rub on the head or a tasty treat, then
continue on your walk. We have found that
20 minutes a day per calf is enough, no matter
what part of training they're in.
|
|
 |
Lots of treats
Treats go a looong way towards building trust.
I always carry some in my pocket, or even in an
old nail apron.
|
.JPG)
|
 |
Introduction to show stick
Gently rub/scratch your calf all over with your
show stick, down their side, along their back,
down their legs. This need not be done all
in one session, but they eventually should learn
the calming effect of the show stick.
Again, patience and TLC is required. Some
take to the stick quicker than others.
|
|
 |
Using show stick
to control walking position
Willie was very comfortable with our walks.
So much so that he had a tendency to try and get
ahead of me. A tap on the nose with the
show stick handle and the handle held in
front of his face gave him the cue he needed to
keep the proper pace and proper position.
Holding the lead up short and keeping his neck
level to his shoulders helps Willie
stay alert and in tune to the lead, keeping an
excellent posture and a proper stride to show
himself to his best advantage. |
First time setting up
|
|
Starlight
is relaxed, and so am I. She has her head
in proper position and I am beginning to
position her feet. She can sense my
calmness. If she is not ready to
cooperate, I walk her around in a small circle
and ask again. If I get aggravated she
senses it and becomes agitated. Then I
will have lost control of the situation. |
I have her head up. The lead is taunt.
She is alert but calm. I'm giving her a
little quiet sweet talk while gently applying
pressure between her toes with the point of the
show stick. This will position her feet
squarely under her body. Keep in mind this
is a very sensitive area, and they don't
like being touched there. If she looses
control, we start over again. Remember,
patience and TLC. |
|
Starlight's looking good. I'm still giving
her some sweet talk while gently rubbing under
her belly with the stick.
|
I have stepped back to provide an unobstructed
view of Starlight, to show off her conformation. |
It is important to keep the hind legs squarely
under the calf. Not too far apart, and not
too
close together. This stance shows off the calf's
conformation while allowing an unobstructed
view of
her udder, or if showing a bull, a clear
view
of the bulls scrotum. This is important
for
presenting your calf to its best advantage
at a show.
|
 |
 |
|
Building trust at a
very early age |
|
