Working Leg Hair

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Sassy2899

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Aug 11, 2010
Messages
397
I like to use a roto brush, or rice brush, and a scotch comb.  Get the hair to go foward on the legs, once that is accomplished the hair should just pull rght up on show day.  You can put some revive or kleen sheen or something in the hair to bring out the natural oils, that way it doesn't look dull and flat.  This is what I have learned over the years and it works really well.  Good Luck! :)
 

OH Breeder

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Feb 14, 2007
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Location
Ada, Ohio
start with clean legs washed and dried.
Then use a light oil like Final Bloom or Olive Oil. If your hair is really coarse you can coat them with Revive and brush in with rice root going against the grain.
Put the tail in an old tube sock or long sock. Get a cordless reverseable drill. Go to Sullivan's Supply and get a mixed brush- synthetic and rice root. They seem to hold up longer.
Start at the bottom of the leg and set the drill to always roll away from the leg. Work all the way around the leg. Usually takes about 15-30 minutes to all 4 legs really good depending on how quick you are. Definitely use oil as it will soften the hair and keep you from burning it. Always blow the calf dry as the blower will help train the hair as well. It also will remove loose dirt and skin etc. If you do it every day in no time you will be able to brush the leg hair up and it will stand on its own. If you get the tail caught in the drill it usually only happens once CZ its a NIGHTMARE to get out. The reversible drill is helpful when working your way around the leg. Just always be rolling away or out from the leg up and down. We have had calves that like it down there back and their tail head. Nothing wrong with that. It will cut your time in half.
 

CLMAngus

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Joined
Mar 11, 2011
Messages
24
Location
Mercer, Pennsylvania
After you have rotobrushed it up do you blow and brush it forward again? I've always combed it up wet then blown it out and brushed it horizontal with the center split. But we just got a rotobrush so what is the best working order? I'd like from the time they get rinsed to when they are turned out.

Thank you very much
 

OH Breeder

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Joined
Feb 14, 2007
Messages
5,954
Location
Ada, Ohio
CLMAngus said:
After you have rotobrushed it up do you blow and brush it forward again? I've always combed it up wet then blown it out and brushed it horizontal with the center split. But we just got a rotobrush so what is the best working order? I'd like from the time they get rinsed to when they are turned out.

Thank you very much

RInse your calf and make sure at least once a week you are using  a shampoo that does not strip the natural oils out of their hair. Some folks use dishwashing soap but I will tell you its meant to remove oil. I can get cheap human shampoo dollar general for the same you get dishwashing soap.
Always blow your calf out, ( thats not just me saying this, Mr Stierwalt  was on here said the same thing.) including the legs. We always rinse in the summer months sometimes twice a day. When you work the leg hair work the roto brush up. When you brush it with rice root brush against the grain or the way its growing. You will love your roto brush. Once we have the body dry we work on legs and blow forward and up. Once the leg is dry we coat with light oil like final bloom or Oilive Oil. The real stubborn ones use Revive and let it soak in . Start at the hoof and work up and down rolling away from the body. We have one on show day that is specifically for "fluffing" prior to pulling up legs. It does help on show day to break the hair. Once you get them trained they will look great. You have to keep them clean. I think keep them clean is the hardest part. Also, breaking the area of hair on the front leg at the knee is the worst. It usually has cow licks and is stubborn. I have never had the never but some folks will trim it short and work it as it grows out. Hope this helps. If you do it right it should take about a half an hour. Don't forget to keep the tail out of the way of the roto brush. Old tube socks like I said are the easiest.
Good Luck!
 
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