FITTING SHOW CATTLE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 181, 18 August 1937, Page 13

FITTING SHOW CATTLE

t *9* » Selection, Preparation and Feeding GROOMING HINTS % Within a- few weeks tlie show seasoxi will be in a full swing, and already breeders in all parts of the Dominion are busy preparing the pielc of their herds for the show ring. To the stud breeder this is one of the most important tasks of the year, since the reputation of his stud depends largelyon the suceess of its representatives in the show ring and the favourable impression xnade by those animals on both judges and sf>eetators, For this reason alone, the seleeting, fitting and showing of animals deserve speeial atte ition. In the first place, particular oaro should be exereised in choosing the animals that are to represent the herd. Probably there have been many exhibitors who have lef t their best animals at home sometimes because they have not been familiar with the type most likely to be acceptable to the particular judge, and sometimes because they have had personal preferences which have prejudiced them for or against an individual. It is desirable, if possible, to make a first and second choice for entry in any particular class or seetion, so that if in the process of fitting one animal does not come along as well as was expeeted, or perhaps becomes injured in some way, the other animal will be ready to take its place. Most breeders are thoroughly familiar with every animal in their herds, but, notwithstanding this, the successful exhibitor usually is one who uses extreme care in going over every animal that might be considered as suitable for showing. It is important also that one should select the individual likely to present the best general appearance when in condition, and this may not necessarily be the one that makes the best impression at .the timo of selection for fitting. Question of Size. As a general rule, dairy cattle placed in the show ring are slightly larger than the average for the breed, and in seelcting entries for sliow purposes one should ehoose only those that are well grown and at least equal in size to the average expeeted for tho age and breed. Very small animals, despite the fact that they may be speeially smooth and fine in type, are seldoni suitod for exhibition. "* On the other hand, unusually large animals frequently are coarso and unsymmetrical, and should be rejected. Judges invariably demand straight top lines, and long, level rumps, and animals with uneven or badly sloping rump3 should not be chosen, even tkough they,t may be especially good in other points. The udder, of course, should receive particular attention. Choose an animal with the udder attached high and wido in the rear, nad carried well forward and held snitgly to tho body in the front. Tho quarters should be equally developed, with well-shaped teats, evenly spaced and a fair distance apart. The udder should be eovered wtih fine silky hair, and have good-handling qualities. The head, neclc and shoulclers should show quality and refinement, while the body should he long and deep, with amplo spring of rib. Otherwise excellent naimalg frequently are a dlsappointment in the show ring merely because they have not been taught to lead properly or to stand well without to® muck eqort ott the part of the attendant. Animals intended for showing preferably should be taught to lead When they are relativefy young. They should be trained to baclr, and taught to take up a position in which their good points wiil show oi£ to best advantage. Show Condition. Feeding the animals to put thom ih proper show condition is aii important part of tho fitting process. Wifh dairy cattle, too mueh condition is not flesired — — to present tho best appearance, the animal should carry sufficient flesh to cover the skeleton smoothly, and still show vigour and capacity. Too lduch fat tends to make even a good dairy animal loolc beefy. The ration should includo a fairiy liberal allowance of bran and crushed oats, with soinO oi! mcal. If sllage is belug fcd, this should be discontinued a weck or so bcforo fitting ends, ond if tho skin and hair conlinuo to l'oinain rough, extra oil meal should bo added to tho ration. Ciipi)iiig, when necessary, should bc dono somo timo beforo tlie show ro alolw the hair to grow a little. An cx* pert with the clippers frequently can impr-ove the form of the animal, or at least cover any little defects, such as small irregttlafities along the back. Immediately after clipping, the ^ animal should be thoroughly washed with soap ; and warm water. The vigorous nse of a scrubbing brush wil help to remoVfe all dandruft and dirt. This Washing should be repeated in the middle of the fitting period and again just before showing. Any white parts which have become yellow may be bleaehed out by blueing. After washing, rinse the animal well and remove tho excess water with a scraper. Complete the dryiugout process by covering the animal with a light-weiglit blankdt. The continued use of a blanket ltecps the animal clean, as well as Tielping to sweat tho hide, : civiiig condition atid quality, to shed tlie liair, to make it lay straight and 1 givo it a silky appearance. In liot weather, liowfivor, excessivo blauketing

should be avoided, as it may causo irritation of the skin, which, in some eases, becomes so seyere as to caose the hair to fall out in patches, Currying and Brushing. Show animals should be curried and brushed at least once a day during the fitting period. Currying takes out the dirt and seurf, increases the action of the skin by opening up pores, brings out the oil and smooths the hair. A soft brush, however, should be used in preference to the curry comb. Coarse sandpaper nailed to a block, and used on the hair, rubbed with the grain, pulls^ out loose and dead hair, as well as training the hair to lie down smooth. After brushing, the animal may be rubbed down lightly with a flannel cloth, moistened with olive oil. \ Well-polished, shapely horns add considerably to the appearance of the dairy cow or bull in the show ring. Training the horns to the shape favoured for the particular breed must be done while the animal is young. Large horns and those badly marred should be scraped or rasped down until they are smooth and shapely, a small wood rasp being the best tool for the purpose. To complete the operation, the horn should be scraped with a piece of glass until all scratches have been removed, and then finished off with emery cloth., A paste made by mixing' pumice stone, with sweet oil is then rubbed on to the horn, which is finally polished with a cloth. The final polishing should be done just before the animal enters the ring. If the skin should be hidebound, and the feeding of extr^ quantities of oil meal fails to lossen it, rubhing with vaseline may help — the vaseline heing rubbed in, allowed to dry and curried out. Just before showing, to smooth the hair and give it a silky and shiny appearance, an oil emulsion may be applied to the coat. Asuitable emulsion may be made by mixing equal parts of sweet oil, glycerine and aleohol. A little of this should be rubbed in with a flannel, and then hand-massaged until the desired gloss is'reached.