How to Load a Show Cattle Trailer

Don't let last-minute trailer loading ruin your experience showing cattle.

There's nothing worse than getting to a cattle show, only to discover that you've left something important at home, several hours away. By organizing your show trailer ahead of time, you can eliminate unpleasant surprises and reduce stress for both you and your animal.



Always pack more supplies than you think you'll need during the show. Prepare the trailer for your animal's comfort and attending a cattle show will be pleasant and relatively stress-free.

Things You'll Need

• Show chest or box
• Clippers
• Hair dryer
• Grooming tools
• Extension cords
• Show halter
• Show stick
• Fly spray
• Hair products
• Resealable plastic bags
• Feed pan
• Water buckets
• Hose
• Spray nozzle
• Pitchfork
• Shovel
• Broom
• Straw bales
• Hay
• Grain
• Hay net

Instructions

1. Fill a box or wooden show chest with your clippers, hair dryer, grooming brushes and combs, extension cords, show halter and show stick. Put spray bottles of fly spray and hair products in individual plastic resealable bags to protect against leaks and put them in the chest.

2. Load the chest in the storage area of your trailer, along with a feed pan, water buckets, hose, spray nozzle, pitchfork, shovel, broom, bales of straw for bedding and enough hay and grain for one or two days longer than you expect to be gone. If you don't have a storage area in your trailer, load these items in your truck.

3. Bed your trailer with straw. Place some hay in a hay net and hang it in the front of the trailer. It should be low enough for your animal to reach, but high enough that it cannot accidentally get a foot caught in the net.

4. Lead your show animal into the trailer. If you only have one animal, load it in the front of the trailer and close the trailer's partition if it has one. This keeps the animal from moving around too much and causing the trailer to sway while it is moving.

Tips & Warnings

• Teach your cow, calf, bull or steer to load on the trailer well before show time by feeding grain from a pan placed first on the lip of the trailer, then placed progressively further inside until the animal steps onto the trailer voluntarily to eat. Don't close the door until the animal is totally comfortable standing inside.

• If the trip is a long one, stop and offer water to the animal every couple of hours.

• Cattle are large, strong animals that can injure a person if they become scared or upset. Always put safety first when working with your animal.

References

• Cherokee Animal Clinic: Raising & Showing a Calf or Steer
• The Judging Connection: Fitting and Showing Beef Cattle

Resources

• Nova Scotia Canada: Training and Show Preparation