Daughter's Steer tries to take her ... any quick fixes?

[Jenny]

I have been involved in showing for 30 + years; I have seen this more than a few times in the ring, where a big fat steer will take his little beginner showman; I have never seen a heifer do this; don't know why that would be.

those calves just learn that the little person is afraid and they will take full advantage of that situation.  I would NEVER allow one of my kids to be traumatized like that.  to a previous poster, NO, it is not time for the "kid to learn"; imagine if you will if you were leading an animal that had it in mind to attack you and the size of the animal was in proportion to to you what the size is in proportion to your little beginner showman.......it would be frightening.

another idea for next year is to buy a calf that is pretty well broke or has already been shown by a junior.  we always have a few of those on our fall sale as we have four kids in 4-H and they show the spring born calander year calves at our county fair.

sometimes you will get lucky and find a calf that will almost look after a small showman.

 

[Simmgal]

As many of you have said, many times it means selecting for docility. We have seen many heifers that we have liked that look very flashy and sound, but many times their attitudes aren't that great... We have learned (the hard way) that we would rather have a docile animal than a mean one that tries to run you out of the pen. I have broken animals that can have a bit of a temper, but they are still very unpredictable regardless of the amount of time spent working with them, and they almost finished me with showing. I took a Simmental with a 'tude to NAILE, and after having to rely on us for feed and water for two weeks, she straightened out, but she still would be grouchy. Sometimes the amount of work that you have to put into them just isn't worth it. I started out with the calmest thing in VA, which was Herefords, and when I moved into commercial and Simmental, I had to deal with irritating animals with atitudes. I clearly remember thinking that if I had started out with animals that I was afraid of, then I would most likely not be showing today. You made a SMART call by sending him out, especially when your child's future show career, and more importantly, her health and safety were in danger.  (thumbsup)

 

[Honkomp]

I am very thankful for everyone's input...again.  I have a locker date after the County fair and will keep it.  In the mean time Madison I have been working the "red method" to try to calm this steer down and increase Maddie's confidence.  This seems to be working for both animal and Child.  We were in town on Sunday and walking into a store I asked her what she was going to do with her steer.  She wants to take him to the fair, but reserves the right to not go into the ring with him.  I guess that this is a win for her.  ;D  (clapping) When I had originally posted, Madison was not interested in even petting the steer.  Last night she and I were in the pen with him and petting and leading him.  She was tickled when he licked her hand and made no attempt to chase her.  <party> Of course, I took CAB’s advice and let Maddie carry her t-ball bat with her in the pen.

 

[simmyman67]

Tie him up when you feed him.