Starting out showing

[5471jenny]

Hi my names jenny and I've just started out with dexters, a complete change from the angus herd we have! and am interested in getting into showing,I am a complete beginner so any advice would be greatly appreciated! I was wondering if anybody would be kind enough to advise me how to gauge what size halter I should be looking for, what sort is most preferable and where to source one for a reasonable price! I have a 7 month old heifer calf and two yearling heifers that I think are most suitable for the ring and already have a calf size rope halter for at home training but I notice from watching at various shows leather and chain ones seem to be the most popular? Many thanks in advance for any tips provided!

[natmadaboutdexters]

Hello Jenny and welcome to the world of showing Dexters! We buy our leather halters from Showtime Supplies over the internet. We have the calf and heifer size halters which fit all our heifers and cows well.

If you want any advise 'in person' then do come along to Newbury Show on 20/21 September where there will be lots of Dexter owners to tell you more about Showing and what is involved.

Good Luck

from Natasha & Jenni Lewis

[5471jenny]

Ah lovely thanks guys, I shall look on their website then! Thanks for the details on the show, I shall make a note on my calendar!

[sheila sykes]

Hi do not where you come from but the northern group have what we call a calf show at
Thirsk cattle market on 8th November its really for people who has not shown before and
there is 3 different age groups for the cattle if you look on the northern dexter group website
you will see all the details
Jen

[Louisa Gidney]

Hello Jenny, before rushing out to buy posh leather halters, try a couple of shows using white rope halters first, to see if you and your cattle enjoy the experience. Even in my heyday of showing, I couldn't justify the cost of leather halters.
Give the animals a good bath at home beforehand. Then on showfield you will only need to get travel grime washed off, particularly on bums. Invest in sponges, a stiff brush and a soft brush, a small bottle of horse or dog shampoo. Oil for horns and hooves is good but be sparing. Old towels useful for drying off cattle in a hurry. Shears or scissors for trimming tail head and tail switch. Fodder, check if straw provided. If not, take bedding. Fork for removing muck good idea (I usually forget that one). LOTS of buckets. Mine play the game of tipping water bucket over then telling whole world cruel owner doesn't give them a drink on a hot day.
White coats should be worn in the show ring.
However much you practice halter training at home, there will always be something on the showground to spook a novice animal.
Get heifers used to having teats handled.
The day you expect to win, you will come last.
The day you've gone just to fill up the classes might result in a nice surprise.
Watch classes being judged and listen to ringside commentary. Judges are like football refs and will be blamed for not spotting obvious faults, placing wrong animal etc. It is not an exact science.
If you're a member of a local group, go and talk to experienced exhibitors.
Do ask questions, people may not be able to answer them but worth a try.

[Jac]

Hi there Jenny. Recommend following link - clipping stuff isn't relevent but lots of useful other stuff

http://www.holsteinfoundation.org/pdf_d ... rkbook.pdf

Would recommend getting a leather halter with the chain underneath the chin as even the quietest animal can get over excited on a first outing. Plenty of practice with these types of halter at home required as the cattle do take some time to get used to them.


Don't forget the showing handbook on the DCS site.

[5471jenny]

Thank you for all the brilliant advice!!