Calming a new show heifer

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TXclubcalf

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2011
Messages
5
Hello all, im Garrett Williams. I have been showing cattle about 5 years. i recently bought a new brahman heifer. she isnt crazy by any means. but i have taken her to 2 shows and it seems like evry time i take her out of the trailer she just goes crazy and will do anything to get away from me. last weekend i was at a show and she was doing fine i took her to the wash rack and rinsed her off and began walking her back to my stall and she just stopped pt her head down and took off. i have been working with her every day walking her and rubbing her and setting her up. but what can i do to fix this? because she is still doing it occaisonaly at the house. i have another show this weekend and really dont feel like getting drug around again. please help me. Thanks
 

The Show

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2010
Messages
841
Location
Colorado
Brahman cattle can be a little tougher to break. I used to work for a guy and we broke twenty in a month and a half. We always used Johnson halters while breaking. The halter stays on 24/7 until their broke. We would run them into a small trap and take a show stick and hook their halter to put a lead on it. We would tie them first thing in the morning after they were done eating, and leave them tied low all day until time to feed. The main thing is messing with them. Always walk them into their pen and make them stop before letting them go. The worst thing you can do is let one go. Especially a brahman; their smart and will learn they can get away. What I would suggest is walking her a lot. Walk her until she tries to break away from you. Stay about a foot off the halter and stay on your toes. The moment you feel her try to break, drop back on the rope and get her head turned. If you let her get her head down it's over, but if you get it turned she'll swing her body around and stop. Keep doing this over and over at home. She'll realize she can't get away and she'll quit trying to. Just be careful because if you let her get away multiple while trying this it's just gonna make it worse.
 

rackranch

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 14, 2010
Messages
1,245
Location
under the X in Texas
You really have two problems.. the first one is Brah and the second is man  LOL  just kidding.  I bet spending a few days at the Buckle will help her a lot..G-Luck
 

bart

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
147
Location
Iola Texas
I agree with the show.... And just keep hauling her she will settle.. A few days away from home always helps one  too... The americans always seem to be a little head strong. Since you have shown her, you are doing alot right IMO!! Have fun and good luck
 

cowchick14

Active member
Joined
May 9, 2011
Messages
34
Location
Indiana, USA
I can't be of much help due to I have no experience with brahamns, just show her who is boss! Do not let her go and if need be smack her on the nose if she starts walking too fast or flails her head around. I am sure you knew that since you have been showing for awhile now, but oh well lol. Also always keep her head up when leading her around. Continue working with her and hopefully she won't misbehave anywmore. Goodluck at your show! I am goin' showin' this weekend too:)
 

WI*ShowGal

New member
Joined
Jun 28, 2011
Messages
2
Location
Sharon, WI
Until your next show just keep working.  Back in the days when I showed (and coming soon again), I dealt with a few steers that had major attitude issues.  After I'd catch them in the morning, I would pull their heads high.  Now when I say high, it was a get them as high and tight as I could.  That was one of the best assets to knock the attitude right out of them. While they were tied Id work with them of course, and do extra stuff in the barn so I could keep an eye on them.  While they are tied make noise in the barn, crank the radio, have new people come over.  Whatever new things you can introduce her to will help get her ready for the show.  After about an hour or 2 Ill bring their head down to the level.  Follow the tying by a walk.  Always, always keep a show stick or cane with you until she is broke.  the moment she goes to put her head down or start high stepping to take off hit her in the nose.  The one steer I had went to drop his head and take off at Badger Kick off and he ended up with a show stick bent across his nose.  With that being said, I always, always tried to break them quietly.  But there are times when you need to show the animal that you can over power them, for your safety and others.  If yo have the opportunity to load her up on occasion and take to to a new place like a neighbor or friends farm try that.  expose her to new things until she literally becomes bomb proof.  The last thing was cattle calm (pellets or paste.)  Most of the shows around here allowed them as long as they were herbal (which I believe Sullivans are.)  We would dose them an hour before they would get out of the trailer if they were a problem child.  If we happened to have one that had real anxiety issues we would keep them on a lowered dose of the pellets during the time we were away to take the edge of them. 

Hope this helps  ;D
 
 
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