HELP Looking for a solution?

[patti Peacock]

We are in the process of breaking a Angus Show Calf we are not newbies and feel the calf is worth the effort. We have been working with her for several months she is 6 months old and seemly making good progress she leads well, ties well, has been dyed, clipped and fitted, we work with her several hours a day and she lives the life of Luxury! She has always been a little different in that she is a little nervous, always alert and looking at her surrounding, leads with head high and moves along great once we stopped her from pulling away (early on). All is well we thought, until yesterday after her daily routine of tie wall and hair care my adult daughter was leading her into her stall area and she literally attacked her head down and butting.
Well we recovered from that and attempted to walk her again she tried it again, we were more prepared this time thank goodness! So this morning we went out to turn fans on and feed and when yo enter her stall she lowers her head and seems to prepare for battle. LOL It's a good thing she is only 6 months old.....We are thinking to try Sullivan's Peace Pellets and are sure willing to try other options before turning her out and giving up.
Just don't want to get hurt, and naturally she is the best show calf in the barn!
Oh one more thing we had just the day before separated her from her buddy, separate stalls, however they are still side by side even in the runs they just don't eat together. Could that make a difference. The attached photo is 6 weeks ago!

What are your thoughts on this situation?
Struggling in South Carolina  :-\ 

 

[Airgator]

This kind of thing always affects your best calf.
I am not a show person, but maybe she needs a little time to get over being separated.
However, if she is in the stall waiting to stomp you I would go to my bench and pick another heifer to work with.  If she hurts someone (who may not be a family member) you won't be able to say that you didn't see it coming.  Who is she out of?  It may be par for the course with her sire...what is her mother like?  If she is doing this at home, you don't know how she will act away from her surroundings.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Ace

 

[Barry Farms]

I've had ones that were tough like that a couple years in a row. Sometimes I gave up and other times I was able to really buckle down and break them. I would try and keep her on a rope for a few days and the only way she gets feed or water during this period is when you take her to it. I always sat there and pet them during. If they fought I would just re-tie and come back in an hour, eventually, they would tire, and after a few days, they understand who's boss and that you're not out to hurt them. I've also had several that this failed on and I just gave up, my brother was between 10 and 12 at these times, so it sometimes wasn't worth the risk but it may be worth a try.
Good Luck

Jackson Barry

 

[Tallcool1]

If she is doing this at 6 months old and has never displayed this type of behavior, what I would say she needs is a good attitude adjustment by someone that isn't in her normal daily ritual.

If you know someone that has some experience around show cattle and has a little cowboy in them, then get them lined up.

To be clear, she probably needs her ass kicked.  She doesn't need medicated, she needs adjusted.