Two questions regarding our new steer out of "One & Only"

[Sambosu]

Last month I purchased two steers that will be shown at OYE next year.  One is out of Eye Candy and the other is out of One & Only.  The Eye Candy steer is like a puppy.  My 9 and 10 year old kids love messing with it.  The One & Only steer is pretty calm but he hates his front end/neck to be blown off, washed, touched, etc.  We clipped him up a little last night and he did great until we got to his front end and he went stupid. Even though he acted bad, we kept messing with his neck in an effort to desensitize him.  Do you have any tips on getting the calf to allow us to mess with his front end?  Also, I took some pictures (not the best due to lighting) and I would like your thoughts as well.  He is a late August Calf.

 

[RankeCattleCo]

Is he finicky from his front legs forward?  If he's used to a show stick and likes it, I would change from scraching his belly to his brisket- should get him used to the touching up there.

 

[Sambosu]

Yes, he is finicky from his front legs forward.  I can rub all over him from his shoulders back and he will just stand there.  He had never tried to kick anyone until last night and he didn't do that until we started clipping his neck.  Also, when I touch his front end he wants to jump in the air.  I am thinking about touching/working on his front end while he is tied down low to prevent him from jumping.

 

[CAB]

It's a very natural response for a "prey" animal to be wary of anything that is close to their most vulnerable area, their throat. You'll just have to work on getting him to trust you. It will just take time.

 

[Sambosu]

If time is all he needs, I have plenty of that because he won't show until April.