How to Groom a Charolais

Part of having a pet is grooming it, whether the pet is a dog, a horse or a Charolais. Basic grooming principles, such as the need for shampooing and hair care, are the same for all animals, but specific techniques vary depending on the animal. In addition, the degree of grooming a Charolais requires will depend on whether you're grooming for everyday care or to show your Charolais at a 4-H show or other event.

Things You'll Need

  • Mild soap
  • Scrub brush
  • Commercial conditioner (optional)
  • Sheep shears
  • Hoof nippers
  • Hoof rasp
  • Wood chisel
  • Blow dryer
  • Spray adhesive
  • Rat-tail comb
  • Clear lacquer
  • Rice root brush
  • Scotch comb
  • Pink Oil
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Instructions

  1. General Grooming

    • 1

      Wash your Charolais daily. First brush the animal to remove dirt and dust. Wet the animal and scrub with a mild soap and a scrub brush. Use soap just one day of the week. On the other days, use only water. You can use a commercial conditioner occasionally to smooth the hair. Rake away excess water with the back of the Scotch comb, then brush the hair with a rice root brush.

    • 2

      Clip the hair of the Charolais as needed with sheep shears.

    • 3

      Trim the steer's hooves every four to six weeks. Use hoof nippers, a hoof rasp and a wood chisel.

    Show Grooming

    • 4

      Thoroughly clean and dry your Charolais steer or cow.

    • 5

      Remove dust with a blow dryer, if necessary. Rub your Charolais with pink oil and blow dry it in to soften the hair.

    • 6

      Pull up on the hair of the steer̵7;s legs and use a spray adhesive to keep the hair up. Spray the adhesive on the hair and immediately comb it up.

    • 7

      Finish combing up the hair and spray with a clear lacquer.

    • 8

      Comb any knots out of the tail. Rat the top strands of the tail with a rat-tail comb. Gather a few of the hairs and twist them into two strands. Use hairspray or spray adhesive to set and hold the tail.