Fitting cattle

Fitting Cattle

Christopher Garmon

A technique learned over time

Objective

How to fit and show steers and heifers for the junior agriculture programs

How to present the animal to the best of the exhibitors advantage

Compilation: AECD, California || For more veterinary stuff visit www.techyvety.com

Supplies

Brushes Rice root, wash brush

This brush will help stimulate growth in the hair follicle

It also helps the hair grow in certain directions


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Supplies

The most popular comb is the scotch comb, which helps “fluff” the hair

This comb is used on an everyday basis, most particular on show day


Supplies

The blower helps dry the animals hair, helps remove dust, and is valuable in training the hair.


Supplies

A good set of clippers is a MUST When selecting a set, choose ones with a

good motor and interchangeable heads. Heads can be changed for clipping longer

body hair or for close clipping of hair on parts such as the head and tail


Before You Start Clipping

You must wash your animal to remove all dirt and debris

This also helps stimulate the hair growth



After Washing

After washing your animal, you will take it to a tie ring and dry it off with the blower

You must keep the hair going all the same direction as it will help train your hair, going towards the head

While blowing the animal dry, comb with either a scotch comb or a rice root with your other hand


“Boning the legs”

When clipping the legs, keep them as square as possible

The ideal outcome, you want them to look like a 4X4 post

Never take off too much of the hair when clipping the legs


“Boning the Legs” cont’d

If you take off to much hair on the legs then you will have nothing to work with later.

When clipping, always try to blend in every part of the animals body.

Never finish with “hard lines” Make the animal look as natural as possible


Show Day Preparation

Clipping the legs promotes straightness and eye appeal

Use a leg adhesive that can look natural to hold the leg hair in place

Try to make it look as natural as possible Work small areas at a time Spray adhesive and pull through with a

scotch comb to make the hair stand on end


Show Day-cont’d

If you have been training the hair all along, it will look sharp

Remember, pull up and forward when brushing

Bone the legs up to the twist, which is about halfway up the hindquarter

After you bone the legs, you will need to shape them with the clippers and make them look as straight as possible


Complete Fit Steer


Education

Fitting cattle