Cable Halter vs. Leather Show Halter

[S_W]

I was wondering, what are the advantages of using a cable halter? Do they provide more control/apply more pressure than a leather show halter with a prong lead?

I've never used used a cable halter before and was wondering what the difference was between them. I've seen some cattle flip out and cannot be led with cable halters, and the rest adjust their feet with slight pressure from the halter.

Currently my steer this year, is quite a hand full. He will walk and stand perfect for me until he gets cranky. Then, he will try and drag me across the ring. It's not terrible anymore; however, I do use a leather show halter with a barbed lead. It provides a little more control then the rope halter I find, but it still takes a lot of pulling and smacking him to get him to listen. So, I was wondering if a cable halter would make it easier; however, I don't think so. I also won't be buying one this year for my steer. He goes to auction in one month.

 

[vc]

Some fairs do not allow the cable halter. Each animal is different, ours hated the chain on the show halter we had to wrap them in vet wrap. have you tried any of the calming aids for your steer when showing? Is he tied daily with his head up for 1-2 hours, we tie the calves with their head up for a few hours daily, it helps them not get as tired on show day. They spend a lot of time on show day either in the chute getting them ready, waiting to go into the ring and then the actual show, if they are not used to being up for extended periods of time they will get cranky.

 

[S_W]

It's not that he hates the chain. He's fine with it and behaves better with it. I do tie him up for about an hour each day too. It's like my steer just doesn't want to work and so he trys to run away. The fairs I go to do allow cable halters.