Teaching calf to lead

annatate_zebus · #1 12/10/13, 07:45 PM

My bad about the post before.
anyways, I have a miniature zebu bull calf. He's 7 months old and I plan to show him. My first show is in January, that's why I want everyone elses advice. I've tried everything with trying to get him to walk beside me. He has good days but most of the time it's just like I'm either dragging him or he's trying to drag me.

Yes, I've heard a lot about "oh, he's a bull, don't trust him" but he is really the sweetest thing with me when I'm not trying to work with him.

big rockpile · #2 12/10/13, 08:08 PM

Ok showed Cattle for years. Bulls are hard headed, most time tied them to Tractor until they quit fighting it, went from there.

big rockpile

CIW · #3 12/11/13, 03:44 PM

You didn't say what kinds of previous experiences that you have had with show cattle.
Your time schedule seems a little tight. You can't go back though.
I've found it best to tie them up inside a building and feed & water them there. Tie him just a little long so he can teach himself where the end of the lead is and to respect it.
Do as Big Rockpile has said. Tie him to the back of the tractor. Put it in low gear and exercise him twice a day. Usually just a few minutes works really well. The only reason that they leave that place is to exercise on the back of the tractor. You will be able to access his progress going to and from the tractor.
We built a tie bar that mounted on the three point hitch. We could then raise it to teach the calf to walk and not pull back on the lead as easily.
Start and end each day with a good brush down. We always do it tied to the tractor. Cattle seem to like a really stiff brush. Stay away from scratching his head that can bring on the bunting. You may need to put a chain under his chin to get him to come along easier when you first start. Tieing additional calves to the tractor at the same time seems to work better, as they like to be in groups and will learn better that way. It also shortened the time that it took to do chores.
Cattle are pretty smart and if given small incrimental steps, will learn fast.
Be careful getting lovey with any bovine though.
I wish you the best of luck.