Training cattle to ride

Baby Duck

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I have a 4 month old bull calf who I'm in the process of training to be ridden. Just to clarify, I mean be ridden like a horse, not the bull riding sport. I don't have any experience in training anything to ride, and any tips/pointers would be greatly appreciated.
I have had him since he was 2 weeks old, so he is very friendly and tame. He is halter broken, and will walk on a lead. He will also walk forward when I click my tongue. I know that it will be a while before he is big enough to start riding, but I am looking for any advice once it gets to that point, too. Thanks in advance.
 

Beekissed

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Might want to turn him into a steer before that? I know there are quite a few people who train longhorn cattle for riding and they are supposedly MUCH more stable to ride than horses, but I think all those were longhorn steers rather than bulls. I wouldn't want to be out riding my bull and he get a whiff of any cows in the neighborhood that may be in heat....that would be quite a ride!

 

thistlebloom

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What an impressive young woman Kaleigh Hamel is! Very interesting vid.

It takes lots of ground work and building trust, just like training a horse.

I don't have any experience in training anything to ride, and any tips/pointers would be greatly appreciated.

This is a great time to do a ton of research and brain picking. I would start by watching everything Kaleigh Hamel has out there.
 

farmerjan

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Great video on the steer riding. There have been several people here that have had riding longhorns. All the things that she was saying is very true. I would also chime in and suggest that the bull calf be castrated and made a steer. That is one of the reasons there are pulling oxen not pulling bulls.
 

WeegMisty

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You can train him to be ridden, I suggest joining Backyard chickens if you aren't a member. There si a very helpful member there who is training her cow to ride that could totally help you out!
 

Baby Duck

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You can train him to be ridden, I suggest joining Backyard chickens if you aren't a member. There si a very helpful member there who is training her cow to ride that could totally help you out!
I have already joined there, and am part of that discussion.
 
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