TRAINING SHOW CATTLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19438, 26 October 1925, Page 9

TRAINING SHOW CATTLE

PREPARING FOR THE RING. The training of cattle for the show ring consists chiefly of frequent exercise on the lead so as to render their* perfectly tractable. They must walk well and stand easily, without any attempt to break away from the attendant. A well-balanced walk is a natural trait, and is not likely to be produced by artificial means in an animal that is not evenly made, but a good deal can be done to make him show to the best advantage when standing before the judges. Some excellent cattle drop their backs when pulled up. This is very undesirable, as a level top goes far in the ring. Such an animal should be kept on the move as much as possible, and taught to hold his head low when at a standstill, as the defect then shows least.

With cattle a good coat is an important feature. This is induced by keeping in airy quarters and by the frequent use of currycomb and brush. With these useful implements and a pail of water the skiluful cattleman puts the finishing touches to his charge before entering the ring, and he knows how to make the hair cover weaknesses of back and rump. A great point in showing off any animal to the judges is to know its weak points, and to manage it so that these assume the least possible prominence.