Tip #6 — Don’t Skip the Body Hair: Pre-Ring Preparation Matters, with Gus Quillin, Sales Manager — Oklahoma
“When preparing your heifer or steer for the show ring, it’s easy to get caught up in the high-visibility areas—legs, tailhead, topline, belly line, and tail. While these areas deserve attention, there’s one crucial step that often gets overlooked: working the body hair. Though it might not be the most glamorous part of the prep routine, properly managing body hair is a foundational step for a clean, uniform look—and it needs to start well before fitting begins on show day.
Make it a priority to spend at least 15–20 minutes working the body hair before heading to the ring. Keep products like a Sullivan’s Stimulator comb, Sullivan’s Game Changer, Sullivan’s Flare, and your preferred blower (The Beast or Air Express III) close to your fitting chute. This combination helps lay a strong foundation and preps the hair to look healthy and pop in the ring.
Here’s an extra tip: Before using adhesives like Sullivan’s Tail Adhesive or Prime Time, make sure you are using Sullivan’s Staggered Roto Brush or Roto Fluffer Brush. These brushes help train and separate the hair, making it significantly easier to pull leg hair up when it’s time to fit.
Taking a little extra time to work the body hair can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your animal in the ring. Don’t let this vital step be the one you forget!!
