Need Advice - Stubborn Steer

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4Rcattle

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Sep 10, 2015
Messages
63
We've had my daughter's county fair steer for a little over a week (trust me, I am taking that into consideration). He had been worked with prior to us getting him - rinsed and tied daily. He is pretty gentle and acts great other than when we try to walk him. He's right at 700 lbs. He pulls back on the halter every time, wrinkles his nose and blows and grits his teeth. He will eventually walk a few steps (sometimes "hopping" forward) then start that all over again. I've tried two different rope halters - one with a ring and one without. I haven't tried a show halter yet, I plan to try that tomorrow.

Granted we've only walked him around the pen a handful of times, it's mainly to the fan rack, wash rack and back to his stall. I have been tying him also. I don't expect him to just stroll when I pull on the halter but I'm wondering what my options are if this continues (I really think he just needs more time - and I'm willing to allows him that). I just wanted to see what everyone else's experience was with this and if there is anything else I can be doing to help the process along. Any advice is welcome! Again - I know this takes time. Thanks!!
 

knabe

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Joined
Feb 7, 2007
Messages
13,639
Location
Hollister, CA
He’s been forced to walk. It was t pleasant.

Stand there, wait for him to move.

Pet him. Then ignore him. See what he does o. His own.

When they start grinding their teeth they need an outlet that isn’t leading.

Find the smallest thing possible that will get him to just move his ear towards you.

These are great animals to learn a lot with fast as opposed to getting them to do what we want.

Find out what the smallest possible thing he can do right and reward him.

Etc
 

GoWyo

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Nov 29, 2008
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1,691
Location
Wyoming
Sounds like he learned not to pull back when tied up.  However, he never learned to lead.  I like to teach them to lead in a small pen.  First task is just to stand to the side maybe two feet away from their head and just pull their head toward you maybe 6 inches and then release.  Do that over and over until they respond with barely a tug.  Then get 12 inches of head movement and release.  Most calves I can get through this in 5 minutes, but some of the tougher cases take a day or two.  Next is to get them to take a single step toward you and release the pressure on the lead.  I usually pull them to the left just to get them to move toward the pressure.  Then two steps and release.  Then ask them to lead forward one step and release the lead, then two steps.  Always provide the release on the lead rope.  This is what knabe is talking about when he says "Find out the smallest possible thing he can do right and reward him."  Most calves will progress to leading in a couple of 15-20 minutes sessions if they are already gentle.

I have seen people just start pulling and never let the pressure off the calf's head even when the calf moves in the desired direction.  With no reward for moving toward the pressure, the calf will either lock up and grind his teeth and not move or just start running off to get away from the unrelenting pressure.
 

4Rcattle

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Joined
Sep 10, 2015
Messages
63
Thank you- I appreciate both of your replies. We are taking it slow and being patient with him- no use in rushing it and ruining him in the process. Thanks again!!
 

4Rcattle

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Joined
Sep 10, 2015
Messages
63
Slowly but surely he’s getting better. He got away from my daughter yesterday so I’m hoping he doesn’t get it in his head that he can get loose from her- I made the mistake for working him when he was still hungry- all he wanted was back in his stall to eat and that’s where he was going. He did much better this evening. I just have to remind myself that we had last year’s steer 2 months earlier than this one- so we were much further ahead this time last year. Thanks for checking!
 

knabe

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Feb 7, 2007
Messages
13,639
Location
Hollister, CA
for now, just tie a longer rope extension on lead.


when steer tends to not turn with your daughter, have your daughter stop and if necessary, walk slightly away from steer and towards rear end.


this will tend to have the steer go around you and he will have to disengage his rear end.


as soon as he stops, release pressure and reward.


have someone walk on the steer's right side with her. this will get the steer used to using both eyes and will help it in the ring when all of a sudden, there are things on it's right that aren't normally there.


get your daughter and steer get used to taking just one step, then progress into lifting foot and putting it down without stepping, then, progress into almost lifting feet but stopping. this will have the benefit of if she learns to tilt the steers head, she can isolate a foot by tilting head and pushing and pulling and steer will move the foot that is out of place without using show stick once they get used to it.
 
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