Fitting A Winner


SHOW DAY PREPARATION
I. This is the day all the hard work, long hours and patience pays off.
II. Allow plenty of time, about 45 minutes per animal. Rinse and blow dry prior to this time or use an alcohol and water or vinegar solution and water spray rinse.
III. Work the hair.
A. Apply a light oil mix, brush and blow in.
B. Apply show foam over the entire body. Brush it in and blow it dry. The foam holds the hair and brings up the undercoat.
C. Any sticky substances such as hair sprays and adhesives should be applied near the end of the fitting period.
IV. Putting up the tail (see illustration 8)

A. Some steers are shown with a "bobbed tail." OK if the tail bone is short enough. The tail switch plays an important role in the appearance of balance of the animal on the side view.
1. A tail switch tied up too high makes the animal look heavy and low fronted.
2. A tail switch too long (below the hocks) usually makes the animal look light-muscled and old.
3. Cows with calves do look best with a long switch lightly ratted and flowing.
Leg preparation. Boning and clipping the legs promotes straightness and eye appeal.
A. Use a leg adhesive product that can look natural to hold the leg hair in place; there are many available. (Hint: colored adhesives don't hold as well in hot or wet weather.)
1. Spray one area of the leg at a time and pull through or pick out with the scotch comb, pull up and a little forward.
2. Be conservative; you can always add more glue and comb through again. Too much glue looks fake.
3. Don't bone the legs too high on the hindquarter. The hindquarter and the leg must join as smoothly as possible.
4. Keep the scotch comb free of hair and glue to do a smooth job. Clean with hot water in some spray oil.
5.Use spray adhesives that fit your weather conditions. On normal days, Easy Comb or Prime Time is fine. On humid or rainy days you may need products like Heat Wave or regular Tail Adhesive. Make sure to experiment in these conditions.
B. Clip the legs as illustration 6 and 7 suggest. Take your time and leave as much hair as you can where it is needed to give the appearance of more bone.
1. Four areas of the leg will be clipped short: the back of the hock bone; the front of the hind leg below the flank; the inside of the hock and the front of the pastern or knuckle.
2. The leg should appear straight and functional; be careful not to clip them too straight.
3. Front legs are clipped to reduce knee prominence and to blend into the shoulder smoothly.
4. Use your adhesive of choice; bone the legs, clip them and then set with a coat of Tail Adhesive if you need it.
Final leg preparation
Use a non-oil base paint like Streaks and Tips (careful of color) and then "puff' on cornstarch into the white areas (legs, belly and head) to maintain the white appearance.
D. Paint feet with clear lacquer or colored paint if needed.
VI. Final Show Day Preparation
A. Apply a product such as ZOOM BLOOM to help "pop" the hair - blow in Like crazy. Spray colored paint if necessary to help "shade" closely clipped areas i.e.: toplines, and the point of the shoulder.
1. Streaks andTips.
2. DEFT oil-based paint in various colors.
C. Apply any adhesives (lightly) on hard to hold areas.
D. Oil horns if needed - 3 in 1 oil works best. Spray oils are too drying for long-term horn care.
E. Put on and adjust the show halter up near the eyes of the animal (important). All bulls over one year of age should be shown with a permanent nose ring.
F.Check your animal's FILL (important). Some long hay prior to fitting and some water will produce a natural fill. Fill gives the animal the appearance of greater volume and condition
G. Take the animal out of the chute and walk it around if time allows, calm him down and make any last minute adjustments.
H. Apply any necessary last minute touches such as a Light oil or adhesives.
I. Be on time, be courteous and enjoy your show day above all else.
VII. Product removal after the show. Make sure all products are washed out thoroughly with soap, or skin irritation is likely. The following products make this project easier:
A. A spray mix of purple oil and alcohol.
B. Mineraloil.
C. Finaltouch.
D. Commercial removal product.
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