We have always rinsed/wetted the calves before shampooing, then of course rinsed the soap out. This is also the way I see most people do it. Today I got a soap foamer so my wife wouldn't have to hold the soap bottle why spraying water through it on to the calf. The directions with the foamer says to not wet the calf first because the wet hair forms a barrier preventing the soap from getting down to the hide to clean. What are your opinions?