Is fitting ethical

[wmw2014]

Doing a term paper in college and looking for some personal opinions. Is fitting ethical? Why or why not? should it be done like houston show where its slick, or should it be done like ohio best shows where its no paint, should it be allowed to paint, or should anything be allowed to go. Pro's or Con's. How does peta feel? Was fluffy cow good for us? etc. all opinions welcome. Thank You all!

 

[GoWyo]

I would like PETA members to feel a red hot poker in a sensitive area.  Fitting is ethical because it is just hair.  Cosmetic surgery other than dehorning is not ethical.  I think most show rules follow this as accepted show ethics.

 

[knabe]

Do you mean for like miss America contests?


I could be wrong but a slick show might create some controversy.

 

[diamonddls]

Fitting is simply a tool to best display an animals attributes and disguise flaws. There's nothing unethical about grooming an animal to the best of their and your ability. Its in no way altering to the animals actual characteristics simply an embelisent of what they already have. Its in no way different than you or I getting hair cuts and buying clothing.

 

[Tallcool1]

For Market cattle, I believe fitting is ethical.  The judge is free to put his hands all over the steers, and can make a determination how much of that appearance is hair and how much is steer.  With this in mind, I believe that there should be no paint above the flank, with exception of the tail head.  I believe that we should minimize body paint out of respect for the judges that are expected to handle these steers.  Dye is fine, but nothing that will rub off. 

On breeding cattle, I believe they should be exhibited Blow and Go.  I believe that structure is so much important on these cattle than it is on Market steers.  Now that is not to say that they should be slicked.  Grow all that hair you want, clip them, etc.  But no chemicals in the hair...period.  None means none. 

 

[InIt2WinIt]

Don't see how washing, grooming, keeping cattle in cool barns, pampering them, keeping cattle as comfortable as absolute possible could be interpreted as anything but ETHICAL.

 

[cowpoke]

It is a show period. Exhibiting and animal to the best of your ability is part of the show.If the rules are followed then it is ethical.Some people are masters at fitting cattle.The best fitted beast still has to walk and be shown correctly to win.I am sure a Miss America Pagent would be different if  makeup and breast augumentation were not allowed.Unfortunately with any rule book there can be some problems .

 

[williams_simmental]

I dont see why it would be considered unethical.  Sure, you might make one look a little better fitted vs not but you cant make a cow have something it doesnt naturally have.  You are simply enhancing it. 
I know the majority of my cows love getting bathed and fussed over. 

 

[Jive Turkey]

The key is the word "show."

No different than a dog show where animals are groomed and trimmed.  A show indicates presenting your item in it's best, blemish-free, light.

Car show, cleaned, waxed, engine and wheels enhanced etc....

 

[pds]

The 4-H motto is To make the best better

 

[Cham2135]

Think of it as the super hot girl in high school. She might not look as hot with out all the make up on, but then again she might.


But joking aside... I'm all for fitting. You don't need a cooler room to have great hair. Shoot some years we had more hair from washing than calves in coolers.

We are working with these calves every day, why not make them look that much better by "covering up" the imperfection.

The 4-H motto is To make the best better

 

[DLD]

Not to start any fights, just some possible talking points for the paper...

Consider this - slick ones have to be slicked before they get to the show.  How "ethical" is it to have to slick your show steers in February if you live in the northern part of the Texas panhandle (for instance) ?  It's necessary in order to follow the rules of the show, but not the most humane thing (I do realize most people in that situation go to great lengths to keep their steers comfortable - keeping them inside, horse blankets, etc...) if you want to talk ethics.

IMO, fitting within the rules of the show is ethical.  When you start bending the rules (like who's doing the fitting) then you could argue about the ethics of that situation.  It's not unethical that some fitters are more skilled than others, just like it's not unethical that some cattle are better than others. 

Personally, I think that the most natural  way of fitting cattle is a blow and show type thing, without adhesives and paint.  But that doesn't mean that any other way is unethical.  Matter of fact it might be argued that it's unethical to take all that income away from the show supply companies and the fitters if the demand for their products and services disappeared - lol.