Cover the basics in clipping and preparing your calf

I was asked to put on a demonstation for our local 4H club on clipping and daily care. Was just asking for advice on what major topics to discuss that will run smoothly and efficient. Expecting around 40 kids.

how much do most of these kids allready know?

The three C's is what I stress to 4H kids. Keep your animals cool, clean and comfortable. To many of these family's try hard but have no clue.  but utilizing the thre C's is a good place to start. IMO.

Congrats on hlping the next generation learn the right way to do things. Your best bet is find the best fitter in your area and talk them into putting on a clinic. If you have good attendance plan a profesional clinic next year. I highly reccomend the Sullivan clinics - took my 17 y.o. son to one and he's doing great now. Chuck McCollough is great as is Kirk Steiwalt also. Your 4-H or FFA club can use this as a fund-raiser and the local kids get the opportunity to learn  from a pro.

These kids are clueless on what all goes on into getting one ready for show. I didn't want mind boggle them down into every detail and most of the kids is on an avg age of about 13. So i was just looking for mostly the big basic pointers while still being very informative. I just didn't know where to draw the line between too detailed and too vague.

We took out 10yr old son to a small clinic when he just started they learned the proper way to wash they used a foamer, brush and blow for daily care and they went over use of fans and good feeding tips. thye then went over basic clipping ( head, neck and tailhead as well as went into legs) Then did a basic showmanship rundown and it was all hands on. We enjoyed it and he learned alot but it was not to much for him to take in.

We have done clinics around our area and one thing we always tried to emphasize is to work with your calf everyday. Around here people seem to think you can start working with them the week before the fair and win the show. Then when they get beat by a family that does things right they start by criticizing the judge or saying the winners cheated, etc.

We would take a calf and give a quick clip and fit job and try to explain why and how we were doing it. Then we took him out of the chute and gave a quick showmanship demonstation.

After that we would explain halter breaking, feeding, health practices, daily hair care, etc.

We always tried to keep it reasonably short to keep the younger kids attention. Naturally the older the crowd the more specific and detailed you can be. Hopefully the parents will attend so you can answer any questions they have and they can remind Jr. when they forget what you taught them.

My hat is off to you for taking the time to help the youngsters.  <cowboy> 

To keep from 'blowing them away" just work with them. Take them out to feed and care for the animals, when they can do that part right then move on. I know it takes time but remember, you have a lifetime of knowledge, they just have a few years. If the kids are willing to do chores w/o being pushed, then the battle is over. Just let them do the everyday care with little supervision. Most really tame calves will tolerate alot before acting out.

If the children know nothing then here are a few things I think are important for new show people. At our fair when ever someone is new I encourage them to watch the experienced show people.  Go to as many shows and watch.
1- you can never beat proper feed and water
2- Clean hair and trained hair- it always makes me cringe when you go to local shows and the kid picks up the blower and points it straight at the calf and leaves lines and swirls in the coat then smear the shaving cream on and expect to get the proper look. Blowers are so important in training the hair. Nothing beats a rice root brush. They should always have a couple of them and wear the bristles off.
3- If they don't feel comfortable clipping practice makes perfect. The night before a show is probably not the time to learn. Clip plenty of time in advance and remember you can always take more off but you can't put it back.
4- If you don't enjoy going to the barn everyday to take care of the project there is no need in having a project. You have to put 100% into it or you will get back what you don't put in to it.

I don't think you can ever over look the basics. Feeding and hair care. If you don't have that you are behind the eight ball.

Good luck!

PAshowman said:

These kids are clueless on what all goes on into getting one ready for show. I didn't want mind boggle them down into every detail and most of the kids is on an avg age of about 13. So i was just looking for mostly the big basic pointers while still being very informative. I just didn't know where to draw the line between too detailed and too vague.

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Sounds like most kids in our area! They are clueless we have put on 2 fitting clinics and the extension office that runs 4h donated scrubbers and foamers to hand out ..... I would get as many chutes as possible and a couple calm heifers that aren't going to be shown and some clippers and let the kids go to work and give them pointers this way it is fun and hands on ... Just a thought this is what we have done and it worked good