breaking a calf

i have a new calf we r breaking  and he wants to drag my son  i dont want him to learn he can do tjhis  but i need to get him broke before he get to big

i need some ideas    been tying everyday  and trying to walk    was doing pretty good til    we had him dehorned              i take any advise or suggestion

search on this site using the search engine on breaking calves.  there are lots of entries.

there's really no reason to worry about trying to walk a calf if you can't change his direction, disengage his rear end, and turn him in both directions.  walking him without getting this done simply allows him to change gears and build up momentum.

elmcreek said:

i need some ideas    been tying everyday  and trying to walk    was doing pretty good til    we had him dehorned              i take any advise or suggestion

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When your tying him every day, what are you doing with him while he is tied!  Do you tie him low or high or both.  Are you combing him, blowing him etc.... Do you have a radio playing while your working with him.

Heres some simple suggestions that I try and do, others may have other ideas.  This works for me.  The first couple times and all times that you'r e not around to observe tie him low to get used to being tied.  Then start tying his head high about like you would prefer for a good profile picture.  Get him used to standing this way for an extended period of time.  I will have the radio playing to let them get used to human voices.  Also if possible have a broke calf tied close by with the head up to get the calf comfortable with the situation.  Do not leave the calf alone when their head is tied up high.

After a short time of adjusting to the head being held high, start combing, blowing and brushing!  I will always tie the head up before I or the kids go to work on the calf.  With the head up the calf can not dance around on the front end and with more weight on their front legs any kick from the rear legs will be reduced as the calf will not want to lose ballance!

Keep working them numerous time like this, once the calf learns that with the head up you or your son is in control, leading will be easier.  My oldest is only 9, once he starts leading a calf that has just been broke and the calf starts to speed up I have him krank that head up to get control and slow the calf down.  It takes time,  do you have another broke calf to lead out with this steer?

Hope this helps,

If you have any other questions reply or send me a pm!

Tony

We have always had good luck using a small pen to work them in that way they can't get to far away from you.  We also stay close to the fence that way if they try to bolt you have the fence to tie them to.  Good Luck and Don't give up yet.

if you have acess to a donkey  you can tie the steer to him for a few days 

I had a similar problem this spring.  My son's steer would drag him, but was a total gentleman with me handling him.  He knew he could get away with that kind of nonsense with a 65 lb. kid but not me.  I bought a clip in nose ring and hooked it to a rope.  I kept a hold of the rope to the side and at a distance.  I was able to put preasure so he would lead, but keep him from bolting.  After a week I put a short lead on the ring in my sons hand so he could keep control and both could realize my son was in control.  Now no ring is needed. 

Anothe suggestion is to get him through the ring while he is still small. We have taken Grants' hefier out several times but not his steer. Grant couldn't quite handle him but getting the steer out in a Public setting did the stee a world of good. Our early shows aren't picky about whose showing so I had a teenager show him to give the calf the experience of being out and in the ring.
Seemed to really help, time will tell. Good luck and let us know how you're getting along.

Tony

Keep the head up.