Show Day/Fitting Routine

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ChristaCheatham

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Aug 8, 2011
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Hey everyone! I just wanted to post a topic asking what your show day or fitting day is like? What routine works best for you? What is your favorite thing about a show or showing? Any comments appreciated!
 

simmyman67

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Apr 12, 2011
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Well I like to get them up, feed them, rinse and blow them out, then let them lay down for about an hour or two. Then I get them up and blow them out and fit them.
 

CANsteer

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Oct 27, 2010
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my routine is almost the same as simmyman67's. i get there as early as i can, rinse, blow them out, put some zoombloom in and blow it in. then i put them back and feed. then about an hour befor my class, i fit them and shape legs. one thing i notice people doing is let them finish eating then shove a handful of salt in their mouths, so that the drink well right before you go into the showring.
 

simmyman67

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Apr 12, 2011
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Yeah I know a lot of people put gatorade in the water they give them right before they bring them in the show ring.
 

ChristaCheatham

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Aug 8, 2011
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yeah I've heard of that too. So how do you fit the legs..? I've heard many different versions but I just don't know which one works the best? My calf has tons of hair on his body and a little less but still some on his legs. How would you fit him? He's a shorthhorn. Also how many cans of adhesive do you go through??
 

simmyman67

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Apr 12, 2011
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Be brushing brushing brushing those legs with a rice root to get some hair on them.
 

ChristaCheatham

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simmyman67 said:
You're gonna have to watch somebody...

Ya lol that would make sense and I have the opportunity to do so. My steer's breeder is coming to the show and helping me fit and clip him.  <party>
Don't worry I've been working my steer as hard as I can! He has great hair on him! haha he looks like a fuzzball compared to our crossbreds we have and the weather hasn't gotten cold yet
 

Cattle7

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Feb 7, 2011
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learning to fit takes a lot of practice & watching experienced people. Every calf is different, you just have to find what makes your calf look the best. Practice, practice, practice!
 

clementcattle

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May 4, 2011
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California
when it comes to fitting the best thing to do is to find a one on one mentor that can take you through it at least a couple of times until you start to get the technique down.  Also watch as many experienced fitters as you can to see and study their techniques.  Also in terms of how many cans of adhesive you will need, I have found if the leg hair is broke and trained then I will maybe use a can if not less.  However, pending on the hair, you may want to buy different types of adhesives to figure out which one will work for you.  Best of luck!
 

OLD WORLD SHORTIE

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Jan 15, 2008
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TX
<beer> repeat
<beer> repeat
<beer> repeat

It helps steady my hands when im clipping and fitting.
 

Aussie

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Jun 27, 2010
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Tasmania Australia
I'm with Old World Shortie. I get there late open a beverage. Put all my stuff in the aisle. Borrow adhesive blower etc from my neighbour just before his class. Pull my black animal in to a borrowed chute (no need to ask there was no one in it) in between some Charolais and go to town with black mousse.  ;)
 

twistedhshowstock

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May 2, 2011
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Nacogdoches, TX
You all laugh, but I know a lot of guys that probably wouldnt know what the calf was supposed to look like if they didnt have a beverage in hand.  I know one that can hold a beer, cigarette, comb and clip all at the same time...kinda impressive to watch.
My routine is similar.  I generally get there and feed about half a feeding a few hours before show time, then I will rinse them, blow em out, but I put some foam in them and comb and blow that in good, make sure their good and dry, make sure their stall is bedded good with clean shavings and let them lay down for a while with a hay bag in front of them.  About an hour before show time I get em up, blow em out, Zoom Bloom em to freshen em up, and get their legs done, maybe a little longer before show if there is gonna be a lot of work on legs.  About a half hour before show I stick a feed pan in front of them  and have somebody keep a blower or comb goin on em continuously til we head to the show ring. Of course that all depends on how big the show is and how competitive a calf is.  I aint gonna do all that for some po dunk show or a calf that really dont have a chance anyway.
 

ferkj

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Sep 6, 2009
Messages
194
I know one that can hold a beer, cigarette, comb and clip all at the same time...kinda impressive to watch.
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That part takes years and years of practice and you can't learn it from watchin ya just gotta do it.

Good thing beer doesn't come only 12 cans to a case we'd have empty boxes everywhere.  (lol)
 
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