Steer HATES the blower

Ok... bought the time we think we've got this steer settled down he continues to show his bad side.  Been working with him with the blower for over a month now (about 2-3x week) and he still kicks moves back and forth, and wouldn't dare stand right behind him with just the hose.  (have it duck taped to a old show stick with a long handled brush on the end!) Loves the brush, but still hates that darn blower.  Son really wanting to take him to Ft Worth, but really don't know how we're gonna manage to 'fit' his legs right if he doesn't start accepting the blower.  Anyway, just wondering IF any suggestions...

Tie him up or put him in a chute and blow him until he quits kicking at it. He'll get used to it eventually.

The Show said:

Tie him up or put him in a chute and blow him until he quits kicking at it. He'll get used to it eventually.

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That's pretty much what we've been doing...  the chute we have is a big old handmade thing and he's even hung his leg in the sides... finally got em out, but scared me thinking he was gonna hurt himself.  So now tie him to it but swings around from side to side.  Kicking as he goes.  How long is eventually ya think?  LOL

you say you are blowing 2-3 times a week but how long each time?  Each time you blow him don't stop blowing him until after he stops kicking.

Ms Ray said:

you say you are blowing 2-3 times a week but how long each time?   Each time you blow him don't stop blowing him until after he stops kicking.

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Today is was about 45 minutes till I pooped out.  I know guess just have to keep at it... I just hate a calf that kicks.  So far lately that's the only time he does.  Just have to watch him.

You might try a pair of hobbles on his rear legs.  If he can't kick, maybe he will get over it quicker.

Order the" Kow Kan't Kick " from Sullivan's.

We had one that freaked out all the time last year, he did not kick though.

I do not know if it will work for you but try the Glu-coat, something in it seems to calm them down. The steer we had last year that would freak once you got past his flank, climb the fence by the time you got to the shoulder and never let you get to his neck, we started feeding the glu-coat and within 2 weeks could blow on him from tail to head. I have heard others that have had similar results.

we used melatonin pills from walmart took a fullweek but she got better everyday cheap too

cowgirl864 said:

we used melatonin pills from walmart took a fullweek but she got better everyday cheap too

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how much do you give them. per hundred ?

Well for hair you give them 33 3ml tablets, I would guess it takes at least that to calm them.

I would still try the Glu-coat, calms them, help the appetite, and marbling.

We were feeding it for the appetite and marbling, the calming effect was a bonus.

Dave Guyer was the one that told our breeder about the calming effect.

Try plugging his ears. Use a piece of a  paper towel, and just block his hearing. We have found this to be a lifesaver for some of our "nervous" cattle. Don't forget to take it out when you are done though.

when we gave it we used 5mg tablets for 50mg morning & night, we bought the fivemg tabs from puritans pride on the internet they had an offer for bogo free, i bought 8 bottles got 16 more than enough for anyone, we got super good results, & was able to quit in roughly 3 weeks for the toughest one, you do need to work with them every day

lowann said:

Try plugging his ears. Use a piece of a  paper towel, and just block his hearing. We have found this to be a lifesaver for some of our "nervous" cattle. Don't forget to take it out when you are done though.

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They make these things called pom-poms that are fuzzy things u put in the animals ears...we use it for our nervous horses when clipping or when we are at a noisey event. Im pretty sure they would be better than paper towels and only cost like 4 dollars!

We're already sooo overbudget this year on calves I think I'll try the melatonin tablets from walmart.  So if your steer is weighing 1000 lbs how many 5mg tabs do you give a day... and for how long?  Show time still min 60 days out max 120 days out.
Need hair and calming! 

i recommend this only with full size people.  yes this goes against my bubble metaphor.

have someone lean against the calf in the chute.  since you are so close, he can't kick as easy on the leg he is standing on.  switch sides for the other leg.

we always did something like this for steers that had quit kicking but didn't trust.

i wouldn't let any kid near a steer that kicks.  kids bones are too brittle and they tend to reach where they shouldn't cause they can't believe the calf isn't a stuffed animal.