How do you train a calf to keep his head up?

[Sambosu]

My 10 year old son is starting his second year of showing cattle.  We have been practicing showing his steer after school and I noticed he is really having a hard time keeping his steer's head up (had same issue last year).  When I showed calves years ago, I tied the calves up for 3-4 hours a day with their head up but not sure if that helped much.  I think they kept their head up while being shown because I was a teenager and stronger.  Some might consider this a dumb question but can you give me some advice on how to train our calves to keep their head up? 

 

[Bradenh]

tie it up every day and he will stop being such a dead head

 

[simmyman67]

Tie him up with his head up high for hours every day

 

[iowabeef]

Yes, it does work.  I would start for an hour and build it longer each day until you get to about 4 hours.  Works wonders

 

[Sambosu]

Thank you simmyman67, Show stopper 95 and Iowabeef for your advice.  I will start today.  My son will appreciate not having to fight so hard to get the calves head up. <beer>

 

[blackcows]

I agree with what the others have said but want to add that I would make sure I keep a pretty close eye on them the first few days......I have heard of few that have had cattle hang themselfs.

 

[Sambosu]

I try to never leave the house when they are tied up.  Also, I have our show calves in our back yard so it is easy for me to keep an eye on them.    Thanks for the info. 

 

[vc]

I have heard that some calves with certain structure issues (leg and foot) will get worse if tied for long periods of time. We started never tying our calves for longer than 2 hours at a time we, just did it twice a day for a total of four hours. Sometimes I think the heavy headed thing is more a structure thing, the better calves we got the lighter headed they seemed. Could also be the longer we were in it, the better the boys got at working and training them.
Good luck and if you start seeing structure problems you might want to change the time period you tie them.

 

[rackranch]

The objective of tying the calves head up for hours at a time is so that he will build muscle and strength and therefore be able to hold his head up higher and longer.  With this in mind, you should also take a subjective look at your son and his strength and ability to hold the calves head up for long periods of time.  He may also benefit from some strength training exercises himself.  Also, they make a spiked replacement chain that goes under the calves chin on your show halter for about 15 dollars.  Might be a good investment for yall.