How to Show Heifers

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 6, 2019

Showing heifers at livestock shows takes a lot of training and practice, especially if you want to win. You can find shows by joining a cattle association or by searching for local county or state fairs online. To be successful in a show, your heifer must be trained properly. At the show, you want to feed your heifer strategically so it looks healthy and full at the showing. Additionally, make sure your heifer is clean and groomed for the show.

Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Training Your Heifer

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Begin training three months before the show. Starting three months before the show will give you an adequate amount of time to break-in your heifer and train it. Additionally, you want to start training your heifer when it is a calf, ideally after it has been weaned. This way you can build up trust between you and your heifer.^{[1]
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2
Halter-break your calf. To halter-break your calf, start by fitting a nylon rope halter on the calf's head. At first, let the calf walk around the ring by itself with the halter. As the calf walks, it will inevitably step on the halter, creating resistance. The resistance will get it accustomed to the pressure it will feel when you begin to lead it.^{[2]
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- It will take about a week to halter train your calf.
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3
Reward your calf for good behavior. Reward your calf by brushing it and talking to it in a sweet, calm manner. This will calm it down and make it feel at ease while it adjusts to its new environment.^{[3]
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- For example, as you brush your calf, say in a sweet voice, "Good girl. You did a good job today."
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Teach your calf how to lead. Once your calf is familiar with the halter, you can begin to teach it how to lead. Start by leading your calf to the feeding area. This way your calf will associate leading with a reward. Then begin to lead your calf in circles around the ring. As you lead it around the ring, make sure to keep it moving at a pace it is comfortable with.^{[4]
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- Teaching your calf to lead is a slow process. Make sure to reward your calf even if it only takes a few steps at a time.
5
Teach your heifer how to stand. Your heifer must know how to stand correctly as well. Use a show stick to adjust the placement of your calf's feet as it stands. Your calf's feet should be positioned squarely underneath it; for example, the front legs should be side by side and slightly apart.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Finding and Selecting a Show

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Pick a show based on your age. There are shows for juniors and adults. If you are a junior, check with the local FFA, NJAA, or 4-H chapters to find a show.^{[6]
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- You can also select a show based on your heifer's age and breed; for example, if your heifer is a dairy cow, then sign up for a dairy heifer show.
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Become a member of a cattle association. Cattle associations will keep you up-to-date with local, state, and national shows. Find an association in your state and sign up. Review the newsletters regularly for upcoming shows.^{[7]
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Look up county fairs in your state. County fairs and rodeos typically have a livestock show as well. Look up local county and state fairs. See if the fair has a livestock show. If it does, review the qualifications and sign up.^{[8]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Feeding before the Show

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Feed your heifer before you travel. Since it is very important to keep your heifer healthy and eating before a show, feed it a full feeding before traveling to the show. Once you arrive at your destination, feed it again in the evening.^{[9]
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- However, if you are traveling a long distance, you may not want to feed it the morning you leave. Instead, feed it a half feeding once you arrive at your destination.
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Restrict its water intake. The night before the show, only give your heifer half of its water intake. This way, it will be more willing to drink the day of the show. Drinking before the show is important since it helps to fill out the heifer's stomach, creating a larger appearance.^{[10]
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3
Feed your heifer an hour and a half before the show starts. Feed your heifer stomach fillers like beet pulp, cottonseed hulls, and alfalfa. Like water, these types of food will help fill out your heifer's stomach, making it look healthier. You may also water it at this time. However, some owners wait until right before the show to water their heifers.^{[11]
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- For example, if the show starts at 9 a.m., then your heifer should be fed by 7:30 a.m.
- Re-feed your heifer a half feeding at noon or midday if the show runs long or starts late.
- Feeding your heifer earlier rather than later will allow it to rest and save its energy before the show begins.

Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Grooming Before the Show

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Wash and dry your heifer an hour and a half before the show. Washing and drying your heifer will prep it for grooming later on before the show starts. Rinse your heifer with water until all of the hair is completely wet. Apply a shampoo and rinse again until all of the shampoo is gone. Then dry your heifer with a dryer.^{[12]
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- Make sure all of the hair is completely dry.
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Brush in a conditioner 30 to 45 minutes before the show begins. Begin by brushing in a conditioner over your heifer's entire body, excluding the legs. Brush the hair forward to create a fluffy look. Then go over the hair with a dryer. Make sure all of the hair is completely dry.^{[13]
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- Any hair clipping should have been done before you arrived at the show.
3
Spray the legs with an adhesive. Working on one leg at a time, mist the adhesive over your heifer's legs from the knee down. Brushing upward, use a scotch comb to pull the hair up and forward. Try not to let the adhesive dry before you start brushing the hair. To keep the hair in place, spray a little more adhesive over the hair, but do not over spray it.^{[14]
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- Only groom the legs from the knee downward. Do not groom the hair on the upper part of the leg or the hindquarters.
- Adhesive spray is a specially made glue that helps the cow's hair stand up when you brush it, creating a fluffy look. You can find it at specialty cattle or livestock show stores.

Part 5

Part 5 of 5:

Making the Final Preparations

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Place the show halter on your heifer's head. Show halters are usually made of leather with a chain-leather lead strap. Make sure the halter is fitted correctly on your heifer. The nosepiece should be up on the nose about halfway between the eyes and nose.^{[15]
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Check your heifer's stomach. If your heifer's stomach is looking unfilled, then give it some water. You can also give it hay to fill out the stomach.^{[16]
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Mist your heifer with show oil. Before you step into the make-ready area, mist your heifer's entire body with show oil. The show oil adds shine to your heifer's coat. ^{[17]
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- If the show does not allow aerosol cans in the make-ready area, then you will need to apply the oil in the chute where the rest of the grooming takes place.
- You can purchase show oil from specialty cattle or livestock show stores.