HELP Training Show Calf

tahilden · Jul 8, 2014

NEW TO SHOWING CATTLE: We have a little heifer calf that my daughter is showing for 4-H. We have been working with her daily since April. And she was doing fantastic. Now this last week she has decided that walking is just WAY to much work and just lays down. She will go around our "Ring" about 1 1/2 times and she's done. Is she just that big of a spoiled brat or are we doing something wrong? Any tips/tricks to get her to stop this?

Thanks in Advance!

cowman 52 · Jul 8, 2014

She has figured out who is in charge and it ain't you. A touch of discipline might be really helpful.

Ms Ray · Jul 9, 2014

change the routine, if you always walk her in the same area or pattern change it.

tahilden · Jul 9, 2014

We will try changing up the direction and routine we always do. She follows behind the 4 wheeler NO problem. Like just a walk in the park. We physically hold the halter chain and once around the ring and she's laying down.

I think she knows who's in charge. It's not as if she is fighting me or anything, I think she's just being lazy. We've disciplined her since day one, she leads a happy cow life, not a pet life. I didn't want her hurting our girls (Twin daughters that are 6). SO we laid down the law pretty early as far as being pushy and what not.

Thanks for the help!

angus214 · Jul 12, 2014

After ours are halter broke we don't work them in the barn/pen much! We work them at night on our way to turn them out for the night. That has helped us in the past with a few.

Aubrey29 · Jul 13, 2014

Don't worry, when she gets to fair she will be a completely different cow. When she is in the show ring I can guarantee she won't lay down because she will want to keep up with the other heifers. When you walk her at home maybe you can try having someone wAlk behind her and when she acts like she's about to lay down the person can just push her butt and help her stay up. But she will most likely be ok at the fair so no need to worry