best way to get dead broke claves to walk

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ssr

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Sep 3, 2011
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27
looking for ideas on how to get dead broke calves to walk  they are very tame do not run or run away  but seem to lock up  need ideas on how to get them to walk and walk right by the first of November they can be combed out tied up high and are ok with the blower any help would be great. have used a donkey on wild calves in the past but the donkey is not a option as we do not have one at this time.
 

The Show

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Jan 26, 2010
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Colorado
We had a calf EXACTLY like that last year. We always kept a little handheld hot shot in the show box and would give her a few zaps on the walk to the ring.
 

vc

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Jul 24, 2007
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So-Cal
We feed  grain hay, there is always volentire hay growing in the pens, we take a handfull and they follow us everywhere.Have never needed a hotshot, time and patiance has done the job.
 

OH Breeder

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Feb 14, 2007
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Ada, Ohio
vc said:
We feed  grain hay there is always volentire hay growing in the pens, we take a handfull and they follow us everywhere.H[size=10pt]have never needed a hotshot time and patiance has done the job[/size].
 

iowabeef

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Aug 24, 2009
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Iowa
Those of you against hot shots...I sure hope you aren't using electric fences! In reality how humane is it to even tie up of pull on a calf...let's no_t get too high and and mighty here.
 

ssr

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Sep 3, 2011
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27
Just a little on the hand held hot shot seems to work  thank you
 

The Show

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Jan 26, 2010
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Colorado
SD said:
Have some one use that handheld hot shot on you. What would be you reaction. You will move but be ticked off too. Just saying. Short cuts cause their own problems.
Haha I have actually...It'll take you to your knees if you shock yourself in the leg. Its just a short zap and I always laughed. I'm 200lbs and the calf I used it on was 1400 so there's no way it could hurt as bad. To each his own though.  (thumbsup)
 

Dyer Show cattle

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Sep 22, 2009
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Indianola, IA
Before you get out the hot shot. Try walking beside them and not trying to drag them. The best route I have found is give the calf about 2-3 ft of rope and walk beside him or even almost behind him for a while. Im no way against hot shots but I never use them on my show calves. Hot shots might start them jumping at you and then you have another habit to break. Another trick is just to put a show halter on them. A chain halter just being different from what they are used to sometimes will help as well.
 

twistedhshowstock

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May 2, 2011
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758
Location
Nacogdoches, TX
I think to many people try to get in a tug of war with the calf, when the calf sulls up to man people try to just lean into the rope and this never works, remember when you get into the tug of war your calf will always win, they are bigger and stronger than you.  The other thing is people constantly keep pressure on the halter even when the calf is moving, this will make them start sitting back on you as well.  Remember that a halter is supposed to work by teaching them to give to the pressure on the halter, and when they give to that pressure then the pressure should be relieved, however when they move towards the pressure hoping for relief and you constantly are tugging then they eventually just give up on trying to get relief that way and learn to sit back and fight it.  Apply gentle pressure, slowly increasing it until you get the desired response. Even if the calf only takes one step as soon as they take that step release the pressure on the halter.  When they are giving to the pressure fairly quickly ask them for two steps, keep working up until they learn that there will not be any pressure if they just go with you.
 
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