Unruly Show Steer in Ring

[mainecattlemother]

We have a steer that is very unruly in the show ring and we are looking for thoughts and opinions.  Yes, he is a cooler calf and we do have another heifer with him in the cooler.  He is also fed by bunk with two breeding heifers, market heifer, and prospect calf.  He moves okay at home and gets walked every morning and evening but not with a show halter just rope halter.  We plan to vet wrap the show halter for next show.  We also tried just this evening to keep him seperate after feeding just to keep him away from his cooler mate as he is very clingy to her.  Is there anything else we should be doing?  Does anyone believe that show calm works or is it just foo foo dust.  Any comments or thought are appreciated.

 

[simba]

If you think it's the show halter that's bugging him I would exercise him with the show halter on so he has to get used to it.

 

[Cattle Cards]

There are three options.  Cover the chain, work him at home with the chain, or use a pronged chain (https://www.sullivansupply.com/cart/tx/p-1204-prong-show-halter-lead.aspx).  You'll have to experiment.  But working him at home with the chain should be your first move.
<cowboy>

 

[vc]

See if it is the halter, if it is try covering the chain. If that doe not help separate him from the heifer, we had a steer and heifer penned to gether, when we turned the heifer out with the others to be bred, they bawled at each other for three days, she paced the fence at on end of the place he did the same where he was at. Once he got through that he was allot better.

 

[rackranch]

And take him to as many shows as possibly.  Sounds like he is just needs exposer..

 

[knabe]

put the chain on your jaw and pull up for how long you pull up.  i'd be pissed too.  a good horse trainer once told me pretend the bit and reins are like barb wire. 

 

[vc]

I agree with Knabe, my sons last year showing we did not do allot of jackpotting, the first show we went to was Western Bonanza, (biggest of the year out here) his calf was an easy going, lead anywhere, baby. Showmanship was held on Saturday, market on Sunday, in the first showmanship class his calf was all over the place would not stand still, just wanted to get away from him. When he was done with the first class (they show in an A and B show) he said he thought that it was the halter chain bugging him. We wrapped  it in Vet Wrap and the calf was perfect in the next class. We always use vet wrap but he had taken it off to clean the halters and forgot to put new on.

 

[Clark Club Calves]

When training our calves before we go to Agribition we put the show halters on and put them through a simulated show. Even the sound of the chain on the ring of the halter can make them annoyed.  We put them through their paces just like a show, having them line up head to tail and side by side, get them use to turning the right way.  We even like having someone simulate a judge so they get use to someone putting their hands on them, if we can find someone that has not been around them even better.  Have them walk past shadows, we have flag in our yard that also helps get them use to other movement when the wind blows.  I have even wanted to set up our P.A. system and record an auctioneer because we sell our calves through auction. Some times those screaming ring men can make any calf a little  nuts.    Take them out of the area that they know, we take  them to a different part of the yard when doing our simulated show so they get use to going to different places. 

 

[renegadelivestock]

i take the chains off of all my show halter, and switch it to a black rope, easier on the hand too after a bunch of classes