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Calf Clubs
You will need some grooming equipment – a bucket, some soap or animal shampoo, a small piece of old towel or sponge (for washing), one of Mum’s old towels (for drying) and a soft brush (for grooming).
Each day, remove the calf’s cover and brush it all over – remember you are brushing the hair, removing dirt and dust, not rubbing the skin so don’t push too hard as your calf will move away from the pressure of the brush. Calves normally love this time, as the brush removes all the itches from its coat and also get to those ‘hard to reach’ places that its hooves can’t reach, or it can’t scratch on posts or branches of trees.
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Only wash your calf on a warm day and with plenty of sunlight so its coat dries before the day becomes dark and colder.
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Use a mild soap or shampoo; wet the coat thoroughly with warm water and rub in enough soap to get a good lather. Massage the coat and skin so you get all the dust, dirt and scales of skin out before you rinse it – preferably with a soft stream of warm water from the hose (if it is a warm day, the water in the hose will be a good temperature to rinse the calf’s coat).
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Be sure to rinse all the soap out of the coat because any residues of soap will limit the amount of shine you will get from the coat when it is dry.
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Scrape your calf’s coat with the side of your hand to remove the surplus water, and then briskly rub it all over with the towel.
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Your calf’s coat will still be damp, so you should brush it to lay the coat down flat, and leave the calf tied up in a warm, dry, clean place out of draught so its coat dries before you put its cover on.
You may know someone who shows cattle or horses – they might be able to share some of their ‘secrets’ for getting more shine on their animal’s coats.
Washing your Calf
Your calf should not be washed within three days of Calf Club - this is so your calf’s coat has its natural oils on the day of Calf Club. You may, however, choose to wash it when it is younger so it is used to the feeling of warm water and soap on its coat – but remember:
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