As I mentioned before, we've been going to the dairy barn this week so Faith and Andrew can work with their calves. The goal is to eventually be able to show them in a dairy show, but that doesn't just happen. There is so much more to it than simply washing them and walking into the show ring. They are working hard on getting them ready. Not only do the kids need to work on getting the cow clean, they actually need to teach the cow to walk. I know it may seem odd, teaching the cow, excuse me, heifer calf to walk but it's an important thing for them to learn. When the judge says stop, they need to be in position within about two or three steps. Then when the judge asks you about your calf, you'd better be prepared, that all takes time and practice and a level of self confidence I've seen Faith gain already! (Self confidence has never been an issue with Andrew.) That being said, these calves are babies; 200- 450 pound babies, and they can give you an attitude. They've been known to step on feet and decide not to go where asked to go and have taken correction and redirection beautifully. Everything is new to them and it can be a big scary world out there, but in the hands of a confident handler the world isn't so bad. It's a beautiful thing to see these babies gain trust, knowledge, confidence, experience, patience and understanding. Nice to see it happen to the calves as well.
Faith leading her heifer...
...and brushing her...
Andrew leading his heifer...
...and bonding with her...
and brushing her...
and more bonding...
and more bonding...
Andrew has always been the cow nut, any type of cow he's always loved, Holsteins and Texas Longhorns being the top two, and he is really the one that wanted to join a 4-H dairy club. In fact Faith had very little interest in it but went to the first meeting because she had no choice, she had to go because I was not returning home before the meeting started. Surprisingly, she loved it and was totally on board with it and even looked forward to showing! I was floored. It's been really nice to see her try something she wasn't really into and gain a level of self confidence that she really needed.
...and brushing her...
...and bonding with her...
and brushing her...
and more bonding...
Andrew has always been the cow nut, any type of cow he's always loved, Holsteins and Texas Longhorns being the top two, and he is really the one that wanted to join a 4-H dairy club. In fact Faith had very little interest in it but went to the first meeting because she had no choice, she had to go because I was not returning home before the meeting started. Surprisingly, she loved it and was totally on board with it and even looked forward to showing! I was floored. It's been really nice to see her try something she wasn't really into and gain a level of self confidence that she really needed. 
Sooo cool. What lessons they are learning. You are such a good Mom.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, thank you! I really try.
ReplyDelete