Washing and rinsing????

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PaFFA Proud

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Oct 28, 2010
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Ok ive read and heard about rinsing and washing on how it helps the coat but here is my question. How often should you wash/rinse a steer? Is there a time you shouldn't do it such as it being too cold. Ive raised horses most of my life and we would never get a horse wet in the winter but I hear cattle people talk about doing it?? This is my first and last year showing a market steer and I am confused on some of the grooming methods of the show cattle world. In the past I have shown lambs and dairy feeder steers at our couunty fair for FFA.
 

fed_champions

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You can wash your steer in any weather as long as you have a blow dryer to dry them. Most people rinse their steers at least 3 times a week, but some do it as much as twice a day. It really depends on how much time u have and how dedicated you are. I had 11 steers my senior year, so i only washed 3 a day, because of the time. with 11 pens to pick, waters to fill and change and feed to make and pour, it took me about 3-4 hours everyday after school.
 

vc

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As long as the water will run you should rinse them once a day, we used Mane and Tail twice a week between washing. So if we washed on Sunday we would use the Mane and Tail on Tuesday and Friday. We put about a quarter sized dollop in a 5 gallon bucket fill the bucket, start at the tail and dip it in the bucket, then pour the bucket over the calf, you do this after you rinse, then comb them out and blow them dry.

We washed with soap once a week, we used to use Lemon Joy, but started using the store brand of Head and Shoulders on them, really seemed to help with flakes.

If you do not have an area where you can get them out of the elements (snow, heavy rain you might skip a couple days here and there. But you need to make sure and wash them once a week. If it raining heavy we just ran them into the barn and comb and blew them out.

Rinsing them helps the hair grow and lets you train it, plus I really believe it helps get them calf dog gentle.
 

Belties R Us

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we were told to wash everyday as in use a scrub brush to scrub them but soap with sullivans clear shampoo only one a week. after the first wash we use revive and final bloom. during the summer we keep them in the dark and under fans. before we turned them out at night rinse em so they are cold outside. It helps them grow hair.

here is a good link: http://www.steerplanet.com/?page_id=80
 

PaFFA Proud

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thanks all...............it just gets reallllly cold where i live in pa and the wind is awful coming across the fields to our barn not to mention we have well water. I dont wanna freeze the big guy or get him sick, lol or me become popcicles...guess im gunna have to get a blower this january at the PA Farm Show.
 

jphelps

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Bremen, IN
if you cant get around to washing him during the winter at least be out there every day with a rice root, fluffer comb, and (my personal preference) a stimulator  comb.
 

MotoMojo09

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Oct 26, 2009
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i wouldn't get him wet if the water freezes before it fall of him  (lol)
But you'd be surprized at how cold you can wash them as long as you have a blower.
getting them wet might make them shiver but if they stay wet thats where you will have problems.
If its to cold at LEAST put some show sheen or kleen sheen in them and blow them out.
Theres a ton of good hair care post on here so just go through alot of them too, their really helpfull.
I was rinsing and washing in two feet of snow last year lol, but it REALLY REALLY helps!
you'll have the pretty hair coat at ur fair  (thumbsup)
Tiria,
 

aj

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I am trying to get some bulls ready. What is the difference between a stimulator and a fluff comb?
 

shortyjock89

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aj said:
I am trying to get some bulls ready. What is the difference between a stimulator and a fluff comb?

Stimulator combs are the plastic versions.  I prefer them for working hair daily, only use the metal combs for fitting anymore.
 

PaFFA Proud

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I guess I might try that..........also when u comb the body do u brush the hair to the front and up? And how do u go about the legs?
 

MotoMojo09

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PaFFA Proud said:
I guess I might try that..........also when u comb the body do u brush the hair to the front and up? And how do u go about the legs?
Yes brush it like you were aiming for thier poll (the not on top of head)
And legs straight up or a V shape
Tiria,
 

BuckJones

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Sep 2, 2010
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Clark Club Calves said:
We mist/fogg a lot  when it gets cold up here in Canada comb it in and blow it out I think it gets them wet enough.

Sounds like a good plan. Will give it a try. We always have problems with the steers getting crap on their legs, then it only comes out if it snows, or they wait til spring...which is def. not good.
 
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