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We’ve spent the last few months talking about the "show" part of 4-H—the early morning washes, the perfect top lines, and the adrenaline of the ring. But what happens when the trailer is parked, the clippers are put away, and the banners are hung on the wall? Today, I want to talk about the off-season . This is the time when the "Halter" takes a backseat and the "Heart" really gets to work. The Shift in Routine When you aren't prepping for a show every weekend, it’s easy to l

Welcome back to The Halter and the Heart! We spend months perfecting top lines, feed ratios, and polishing those hooves, but the show day itself is a marathon of precision and patience. For every 4-H member stepping into the beef ring, success isn't just about the ribbons—it's about mastering the meticulous flow of the day. Let’s break down the three critical phases of a beef 4-H show. Phase I: The Morning Grind (Arrival and Final Preparation) Show day starts long before the

Back for another post on The Halter and the Heart! As I write this I am five days away from going to the biggest 4-H show in all of Ontario, the Royal Winter Fair. I have spent the last few weeks honing in on training to prepare for this specific show. So, how does one begin the training process? Well that’s the question I want to answer today.  The first step is to halter break your calf. I would say this is the easiest step in training but it is also a crucial point where y

Hello! Welcome to The Halter and the Heart! I’ve been doing 4-H for four years and this is where I will be sharing some personal stories,...