heifer won't lead at wits end with her need help show is on march 10th

Got our heifwre back in dec broke to tie and haven't been able to get her to lead we can put her on the wagon and lead her anywhere and she walks on her own to the barn from the wagon with no issues but unless she wants to go where she wants she won't move.  We tried putting another calf with her to see ifd she would follow but no also. We wonder if she pouting cause being takin away from herd but she still has another calf with her at all times that is broke to lead any suggestions are welcome were just at wits end with her and don't wanna take her off the show string but it seems like we might have to. Hoping some one has hade a similar problem and know s a few suggestions to help

just keep trying  had a steer this yr every time we try walk him roll over put his legs in the air  just kept walking everyday took him to a show did well until last ring after placing he rolled over and played in the dirt  dont give up

Try leading in small circles.  Then work to bigger circles and leading in a straight line.  With the small circles they're just pivoting in place, but their feet are moving.  Also, if you've never had her off your farm, load her in the trailer and taker her somewhere new (even if its just the neighbors place down the road).  Sometimes a "trip to town" is all it takes to make a breakthrough.

We had a steer last year that was the same way my son worked him everyday and we took him to our fair my husband had to drag him in the barn the next day he was fine. We learned to walk our calves to water! Dont leave water out then lead her to the water it helps alot. Good Luck

Denver a lot of years ago carloads bull was always ding the same thing.  Jake white stripped the end off an extension cord and with the cord plugged in  caught him by surprise.  Bull led great from that day on

cowman 52 said:

Denver a lot of years ago carloads bull was always ding the same thing.   Jake white stripped the end off an extension cord and with the cord plugged in  caught him by surprise.  Bull led great from that day on

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Not sure telling people to shock calves with a power cord is the best thing but maybe tell them to get a hand held stock prode may be a better way. I would not use either with a show calf that would be around kids though. Keep at it and move her around small steps at a time. Tie her outside in a pen and just keep moving her small steps, then tie her back up and relax and then after a few minutes do it agian. Always try to have someone push her so the person leading only has to tip her head in the right direction, shell get it.

frostback said:

cowman 52 said:

Denver a lot of years ago carloads bull was always ding the same thing.   Jake white stripped the end off an extension cord and with the cord plugged in  caught him by surprise.  Bull led great from that day on

Click to expand...

Not sure telling people to shock calves with a power cord is the best thing but maybe tell them to get a hand held stock prode may be a better way. I would not use either with a show calf that would be around kids though. Keep at it and move her around small steps at a time. Tie her outside in a pen and just keep moving her small steps, then tie her back up and relax and then after a few minutes do it agian. Always try to have someone push her so the person leading only has to tip her head in the right direction, shell get it.

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i've tried the shocker before--- you better be hanging on when you do that..

Just a guess here: but maybe you should have started working on that heifer sooner-- I mean- seriously, did this show just appear out of NOWHERE?

tie her up to a tractor or truck and go real slow, this will show that something is stronger than her!

Here's an old Indian trick that doesn't involve pain [ for the calf or the guy on the lead rope] . Feed the calf in an individual pan and put a small salt block in it. Don't let calf drink until  the next evening an dlead to a water sorce. Do this several times and you will be amaized.

My steer did the same thing to me, with about a week later and raw hands i took to the fair hoping it would lead and it did there. I think it liked all the things around it, its espically liked all the noises and the sand that they used in the show arena. Maybe just tryin bunch of things!

DON'T PULL OR DRAG HER!  The mentions of feed and water are the way to go.  DO NOT keep food or water in her pen.  Tie her in place all day and all night (where she can get up and down).    Put water just 2-3 steps out of here reach, and lead her to it.  Do the same with her feed, clean the area, and tie her down.  Repeat at next feeding and keep moving the water and feed further away.  Do this as long as it takes, and NEVER leave food in front of her more than 20 minutes.

http://www.steerplanet.com/?page_id=1267

AAOK is right the easier you go about this the better. I've seen some nice calves turn into real idiots when a little to much force is used. The trick is out smarting them, not out muscling them.

Break her like a horse. Put her on a walker till her legs are draggin then step in and start walking her by hand.  If you don't have the back to establish dominance when they're at full strength, wear em down to the point where you can.   

Good luck. Remember heifers can be a little ornery sometimes. Outsmarting works best with heifers most times.