Tip #14 — Don’t Overlook the Tail, with Tess Mittag, Manager of Stock Show University®
“When fitting steers or heifers for the show ring, many tend to focus on legs, toplines, and body hair—but one area that often gets overlooked is the tail. However, the tail plays a critical role in the overall balance and visual appeal of your animal. Without proper attention to tail placement and structure, the symmetry of your animal’s appearance can be thrown off significantly. A tail should visually align with the bottom of the chest floor. A helpful way to ensure this alignment is by using a Sullivan’s show stick to draw an imaginary line from the chest floor to the tip of the tail switch. If you are clipping the tail, always leave it slightly longer than needed so that once the tail is fit, it still lines up perfectly with the chest floor.
When it’s time to ball the tail, use Sullivan’s Tail Adhesive to create a strong, lasting hold. For shaping, grab a Sullivan’s Smooth Operator comb to tease and build the hair into your desired form. Aim for a baseball bat shape for market animals and a teardrop shape for breeding animals—each form enhancing the animal’s purpose and breed/sex characteristics. Tail fitting may be the last step, but done right, it can be the final detail that sets your animal apart in the ring.”
To visually see how a tail should be balled, watch the Stock Show U Online video at www.sullivansupply.com/stock-show-u/online/?_ssu-category=season-3
Check back tomorrow for the FINAL tip from the Stock Show University® “Behind the Banner” Series!
