Hair prep recommendations

[amr500]

Hey folks,

I'm going to be working with a string of cattle (4-8) ranging from weanlings to yearlings.  Every year it's a last minute scramble to get their hair ready and looking half decent before the big fall show.  I've FINALLY gotten the go ahead to start early this year (ie. now) for November shows. 
SO - my question is where to start?  They won't be put under fans (as there aren't any), but I can cold hose the snot out of them as many days as I want.  Their hair is pretty rough right now, so I don't know if I should strip it all back fairly short and then start training the hair as it comes back in? 
Any recommendations would be appreciated!

 

[OLD WORLD SHORTIE]

Start by buying some fans. 100 bucks at home depot. No fans, pshhh.
And a mister system and a dark barn with lots of air flow, ohh and most important of all GOOD CATTLE.

 

[flacowman]

my philosophy on hair is don't clip it unless you can take it not coming back...that said I would rinse twice daily, keep them in shade, try and get fans, you don't need sullivan's, I have found some really good chicken house fans etc. at farm auctions for 10 and 20 bucks.  There are many threads on conditioner etc for hair but in summer I would go half and half kleen sheen and vinegar and about half a cup liniment stimulator to the gallon of mix.  the sheen conditions, the vinegar does too as well as being a cheap extender, and the liniment will cool the skin and make hair pop.  I would rinse morning and evening, blow forward until dry (if they have bedding you can leave bellies slightly damp as the evaporation will have some cooling effect but if they're on dirt go ahead and get them dry or they'll always be dirty) spray in the mix until fairly damp, comb in, let sit 5 minutes, blow in with one motor until you don't see droplets shining in the light, comb again and you're done with the body.  If you're willing to take the time to rotobrush legs then after you do the body, spray mix in until almost dripping and rotobrush it in on the legs until it is dry.  STOP as the hair dries or you'll start to pull some out with the brush.  you can choose to do legs only once a day if you don't have time but more is better.

Best of luck!  <party>

 

[all.thumbs]

what are brand names of a liniment stimulator?

 

[flacowman]

http://sullivansupply.com/cart/tx/p-689-sullivans-liniment-hair-stimulator-pint.aspx   

  http://sullivansupply.com/cart/tx/p-691-sullivans-liniment-hair-stimulator-gallon.aspx] [url]http://sullivansupply.com/cart/tx/p-691-sullivans-liniment-hair-stimulator-gallon.aspx[/url]

that's it on sullivan's website, it gets expensive quick but if you're lucky enough to be near a tractor supply they carry an off brand that is about $4 cheaper, they may have to special order it but it'll probably be in the horse section.  Any feed stores etc that carry horse supplies or even show cattle supplies around you should have some version of it.  I've used maybe 5 different brands, whatever was cheap, and seen no differences between them.

 

[ColdWthr]

If you're not showing till Nov, I would shear them with 7112 blades now, leaving their leg and belly hair.  Let them run out this summer if you can, but still feed them like you would if they were in the barn. This will help keep them fresh.  About Sept 1 I would start putting them back up and rinsing them twice daily. Use a rice root and wash brush and brush them dry.  Spray some sheen in them once they are dry and blow it in.  Once you start to get some more hair on them, use the blower more and more. 

 

[amr500]

Thanks guys- greatly appreciated.

I will do my best to convince the owner to invest in a couple fans.

They will be kept inside all summer - ColdWthr  and flacowman - thank you for the tips.  Unfortunately twice daily rinsing won't be possible - as I can't get there to do it (I have another full-time job) but it will be a once a day thing all summer if possible - so I think I'll leave the hair on and see what I can do with it...
I don't have a rotobrush - but thinking of investing in one perhaps - seen as getting hair on these legs is next to impossible every year.  I'll try the mixture you recommend Flacowman. 

Any suggestions for rotobrushes?

 

[flacowman]

the one sullivan's sells is the only one I know of.  I like the rice root over the synthetic but it's your choice.  Just use a cheap cordless drill and whatever you do DON'T GET IN THEIR TAIL WITH IT!!!!!! you and the calf both will go berserk and probably have major problems getting it back untangled