Breaking Younger Calves

[mbakley]

I am starting to work with younger calves that I will be taking to the State fair in the feeder class. Working with younger calves is a lot different than working with market steers. Any tips that work well?

 

[GoWyo]

No difference.  Treat them like they are 750# and don't drag them around.  Pressure, get one step and release and maybe even comb them as a reward.  Repeat over and over and pretty soon they are leading.  Don't tie them up until they lead.

 

[sizzler14]

everybody has their own methods. None are wrong. jus depends on the setup. I do things completely opposite of GoWyo. We bring the calves in the day we wean them and put them straight into the cooler. It is loud in there and they cant hear their mommas ball. They are haltered first day and we tie them up about show height with a slip knot. We immediately get the blower out and try and blow them. not for real long, id say 5-10 mins a piece depending on the calf. They are thrown into the daily routine the moment they are weaned. we will do it each day for about a week and then we will try walking them to water. After a week of being tied, blowed, and combed, they arent bad at all. We have never had one we couldnt do it to, or one that got hurt. I should throw in our calves are handled a lot first week of birth, and during breeding time the calves are with their mothers in a 50 yd x 100 yard pen which we are in everyday walking and gaulking so they are used to people being up close which i firmly believe speeds up the tieing and blowing process. this is the way i do it. I can tell you 10 other ways that are correct too. just depends on the set up.