Am I Getting Old...Love No Fit Shows

blackcows · Jul 11, 2009

I am 42, my kids have been showing cattle for a few years in 4H and I must admit I am really liking the no fit shows. In my younger years I certainly burned through hundreds of cans of adhesive and probably just as many cans of Outcast and EZ Out but it seems now that I kind of seek out the no fit shows. Something about not loading blocking chutes and not washing after the show is really appealing to me. We do a lot of work at home as far as brushing, rinsing, blowing, washing, and working the hair so the kids still get a lot of experience grooming the calves and in my opinion our calves still look really nice without the glue. I realize that a good fit job can take cattle to the next level and like some enjoy sports others enjoy fitting a calf, I am just getting to the point that I like cold beer a little more.

What's everyone else think of no fit shows?

Mike

box6rranch · Jul 11, 2009

Boy, I am right there with you! ;D

herefordfootball · Jul 11, 2009

(lol) Dont tell my dad, or all he will go to is no-fit!!! I fit and clip my calves at the shows by myself, unless there are some of our friends there then they'll help out and they're lifesavers!!. I love fitting cattle. Hands down. That and actually showing the calf is my bread n' butter. I must agree the no washing after the show sounds appealing... But thats why I bring my dad and brother with me!!! (lol) I love fitting calves!!! It's just what I do!! I hope one day I can custom fit for some people, would love to do that!! I clipped for some of our neighbors, but it was just for some little jackpot shows and the county fair. But I can see your point on how the no-fit is appealing.

Chris

LN · Jul 11, 2009

I love non-fit shows.

It's the showring's version of going green...haha.

justintime · Jul 11, 2009

I used to love fitting cattle, but like many people my age, I am becoming more and more allergic to many aerosol products.I still love fitting cattle, but it does not love me. I still love to see a well fitted animal enter the show ring, but I also fulling realize it really is only window dressing. Now on show day, I work at the stall until the fitters start to work, then I have to stay at the show ring and manage from there. After several years of not even showing, I have found myself back on the end of a halter again, and love it! Even after keeping that far from the action, I am usually sick by the end of a show, and sometimes it takes me several weeks to totally get over it. I usually lose my voice, and have issues with breathing, oftentimes ending up with pneumonia, after a long show day. Not sure if I have inhaled too much crap into my body over a lifetime in this business or not, or if this is caused by just being overly sensitive to these products from the start. It seems to me that i am meeting more and more people every year with the same issues. Most are long term fitters. Makes me wonder if there is a connection there. This is one of the main reasons the Canadian Angus Association has passed a rule banning aerosols at their sanctioned shows. It has created an uproar, and almost a small war, but I hear that some other breeds are now considering the same thing.

A great fitter can work wonders. A few years ago, I got a well known fitter to help me at a major show. He came to my stall a few hours before the show and looked over the cattle. We had a pretty good bull calf in the string, and he asked me if I wanted to win the class or would I be satisfied standing 3rd or 4th. I said that 1st usually is better than down the line. He then told me he was going to need two more fitters to help get some of the other cattle ready, as he was going to need at least an extra hour to fit this bull. Watching a master at work was amazing, and we ended up winning the class and I sold the for $6000 out of the stall after the show. Guess it was worthwhile!

Telos · Jul 11, 2009

Fitting use to be really fun, but now it is only hard, hard work. I'm 57 and much to old for that profession. In the old days all you needed was a little mineral oil, glycerin bar, a comb and you'd be in business.

SWMO · Jul 11, 2009

Love the no fit shows. I agree as age progresses fitting all day iis getting too much. Also hate the effects of the aerosols. I agree with JIT. Plus the no fit shows are MUCH LESS expensive. Don't have to visit Sullivans so much

blackcows · Jul 11, 2009

Interesting that a few of you have mentioned the effects of the aerosol products. It never fails that we will return home from a show and I will have a rough voice for several days. I always chalked it up to dust and whiskey but maybe it's the glue and gloss in the air.

Mike

herefordfootball · Jul 11, 2009

blackcows said:
Interesting that a few of you have mentioned the effects of the aerosol products. It never fails that we will return home from a show and I will have a rough voice for several days. I always chalked it up to dust and whiskey but maybe it's the glue and gloss in the air.

Mike

I think the aerosols definitely have an effect on you. Sometimes I wear a cheapo mask when I fit if there isnt good ventilation in the building. If you breathe it in, it's building up somewhere. Next time you guys are at a show in Indiana and dont feel like fitting gimme a call and I'd love to help out!!! Might not be as good as you though!!!!

Chris

ROAD WARRIOR · Jul 11, 2009

Over the last 30+ years I have made a fair portion of my income from fitting for other people. If given the option I will do far more work before the show and use far less adheisive etc. at the shows. It's hard to get clear away from all of it, but I think you can get a nicer more natural look if you do your homework at home before you get there instead of trying to "break" hair with glue and a comb. RW

herefordfootball · Jul 11, 2009

ROAD WARRIOR said:
Over the last 30+ years I have made a fair portion of my income from fitting for other people. If given the option I will do far more work before the show and use far less adheisive etc. at the shows. It's hard to get clear away from all of it, but I think you can get a nicer more natural look if you do your homework at home before you get there instead of trying to "break" hair with glue and a comb. RW

I agree. The best way to fit easy at the show is if your hair has natural pop. The less adhesive you have to use the more natural look you'll acheive.

Chris

afhm · Jul 11, 2009

HATE EM! Fitting is part of the show and these are SHOW cattle. If you're not going to fit them then don't even halterbreak them. Show them loose in a pen like they do when grading bulls at the commercial bull sales.

CJC · Jul 11, 2009

I love Blow and go shows. You really find out who has been working with their calves and who hasn't.

CM Cattle · Jul 11, 2009

blackcows said:
I am 42, my kids have been showing cattle for a few years in 4H and I must admit I am really liking the no fit shows. In my younger years I certainly burned through hundreds of cans of adhesive and probably just as many cans of Outcast and EZ Out but it seems now that I kind of seek out the no fit shows. Something about not loading blocking chutes and not washing after the show is really appealing to me. We do a lot of work at home as far as brushing, rinsing, blowing, washing, and working the hair so the kids still get a lot of experience grooming the calves and in my opinion our calves still look really nice without the glue. I realize that a good fit job can take cattle to the next level and like some enjoy sports others enjoy fitting a calf, I am just getting to the point that I like cold beer a little more.

What's everyone else think of no fit shows?

Mike
[/quote
I didnt know there was such a thing, it sounds awesome!!!

NHR · Jul 11, 2009

Jackpot shows should all be no-fit, even when they are fit shows we dont do it. We like to fit at Ft Worth but we are happy that the State Fair of TX and Houston are no fit. It is just to hot to fit.

BCCC · Jul 11, 2009

afhm said:
HATE EM! Fitting is part of the show and these are SHOW cattle. If you're not going to fit them then don't even halterbreak them. Show them loose in a pen like they do when grading bulls at the commercial bull sales.

Agree completly!! I normally won't even go to the small jackpots if they are no fit.

herefordfootball · Jul 11, 2009

I think they should have a no fit class and a fit class. No fit in the morning then fit at night.(Same Calves). I think that would be pretty neat. You could really see who is or has a good fitter and who has a good calf. A good fit job can go a long way. Which in my case I need all the help I can get, so I guess I'm partial to the fit show!! ;D

Chris

oakbar · Jul 11, 2009

I think fitting cattle is like running up and down stairs---you may think its fun when you're young, but the older you get the less you care for it. I personally think we have put way too much emphasis on hair in the last few years. Its kind of like a blonde with a great head of hair---it'll sure catch your attention, but its when you analyze things further that you really learn to appreciate the whole package. JMHO

I have to admit the combination of aerosol sprays, dust, and hair at these shows usually has my allergies on full alert by the time the show is over!! I wish we had more no fit shows in our area!!

simtal · Jul 11, 2009

if your cattle are good enough to win "unfit" more power to ya. If you can't fit as good as other people and "wish the playing field was leveler", get another hobby or get better.

herefordfootball · Jul 11, 2009

simtal said:
. If you can't fit as good as other people and "wish the playing field was leveler", get another hobby or get better.

Or call me!!! (lol)

Am I Getting Old...Love No Fit Shows

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