Heifer afraid of water - need suggestions

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SlickTxMaine

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Feb 11, 2009
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641
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Texas
My daughter's heifer is terrified of water!  If she is tied and we attempt to spray her with a hose, she will completely freak out, to the point I am afraid she will hurt herself.  I have tried holding the lead rope and spraying her, but she reacts just the same.  I start by letting her lick the water, and can let the water run onto her neck, and she is somewhat ok, but when it starts running down her sides and dripping off her belly, she goes bezerk!  I have not tried putting her in a trim shoot, as I was afraid she might hurt herself.  I have tried running the hose over her hooves and lower legs as well, and starting at the bottom, but the reaction is no less severe.  We have a practice show coming up and she needs a washing bad!  She's a brahman, if that makes a difference.  Appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks!
 

vc

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Jul 24, 2007
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1,811
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So-Cal
Never had to deal with this problem, you might try and blind fold her to see if she wont stand still.
I know that they will sometimes react less to things when blind folded.
 

SlickTxMaine

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Feb 11, 2009
Messages
641
Location
Texas
I guess I should add that she seems a little more high strung than other calves I have dealt with.  When we first put her halter on she ran around the pen, throwing herself into the fence and rearing straight up like a horse, trying to get away from the halter.  We let her calm down for about 10 days with just the halter, but the first time we attached a lead rope and she felt a little pressure, we had the same show again.  We have definitely experienced a lot of firsts in the seven weeks we have had her.   
 

renegadelivestock

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Mar 12, 2010
Messages
324
tie her up with a rope halter, to something she cant pull down, and spray her until she stops moving, try warm water at first if possible, it is less of a shock then cold, start at her feet and move up, move from back to front
 

SlickTxMaine

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Joined
Feb 11, 2009
Messages
641
Location
Texas
I used a plain hose without a nozzle.  I think now that it may be the sound of the water splashing.  I dipped a bucket of water out of her trough the other day, and when she heard the sound of the water sloshing around, she threw her head in the air and ran to the other side of the pen.  Thanks for the suggestions - I'll give em a try!
 

cowman 52

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Jan 16, 2009
Messages
719
Location
San Angelo Texas
Had one years ago that didn't like the water dripping on her feet.

Suggest you put her on the rack, leave the hose on the floor and turn it on, if you can spare the water.  If all goes fair, raise the hose a bit so there is some splash.  A little feed in the rack wouldn't hurt.
 
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