The Cattle Coach Show

Learn From Kolten: https://www.cattle-coach.com/cattle-coach-academy-sign-up-pageWhat separates a good cattleman from a great one? Sometimes, it's the smallest details that everyone else overlooks.In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten Thigpen shares the remarkable legacy of the late Sloane Williams, a legendary cattleman whose ability to read livestock seemed almost impossible. From matching cows with their calves in a pasture full of cattle to predicting when a cow would calve within hours, Sloane had a gift that only decades of dedication and experience could develop.But what made him so good? Was it natural talent, instinct, or something anyone willing to put in the work could learn?Kolten explores how the best cattlemen recognize subtle changes in behavior, anticipate problems before they happen, and develop an understanding of their livestock that goes far beyond what meets the eye.He also reflects on the importance of mentorship, the sacrifices behind true expertise, and how learning from generations of great cattlemen can help the next generation become even better.Whether you're raising show cattle, managing a commercial herd, or working to sharpen your stockmanship skills, this episode is a reminder that greatness isn't built overnight. It's earned through years of paying attention, asking questions, and never stopping learning.What cattleman has made the biggest impact on your life? Share their name or story in the comments. We'd love to hear about the people who helped shape the next generation of cattlemen.#CattleCoach #Cattlemen #CattleIndustry #RanchLife #Stockmanship #CattleRanching #ShowCattle

Learn From Kolten: https://www.cattle-coach.com/cattle-coach-academy-sign-up-pageCan you really spot a champion calf within the first 24 hours of its life? Or does it take months to know if you've got something special?

In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten Thigpen shares the story of one of the winningest calves he's ever raised—and how someone recognized its potential before it was even two days old.

From birth weight and structural correctness to the unmistakable presence some calves seem to have from day one, Kolten breaks down what experienced cattlemen look for in newborn calves and what can only be revealed with time.

He also discusses how genetics, maturity, nutrition, and management can completely change the way a calf develops—and why even the most experienced breeders can't guarantee a future champion.

Whether you're raising show cattle, making breeding decisions, or trying to develop a better eye for quality livestock, this episode will challenge how you evaluate calves from the moment they hit the ground.

Can you tell when a calf is going to be special? Drop your stories in the comments! We'd love to hear about the calves you knew were different from day one.

#CattleCoach #ShowCattle #CattleBreeding #Livestock #ShowSteers #CattleRanching

Learn From Kolten: https://www.cattle-coach.com/cattle-coach-academy-sign-up-pageWant more hair on your show calf? The secret isn't just what products you use. It's WHEN you start and how you care for your cattle leading up to show day.In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten Thigpen breaks down his approach to maximizing hair growth, improving hair quality, and getting show cattle ready to look their best when it matters most.From understanding hair growth cycles to avoiding an early shed, Kolten shares the daily routines, products, and timing strategies he personally uses to prepare cattle for major shows like Fort Worth.**In this episode, we cover:**- Why hair growth starts long before show week- The importance of timing your calf's hair growth cycle- Why daily skin and hair care matters more than expensive products- How gut health can impact hair quality- Kolten's experience with Yeti Sauce and Show Bionics- Why starting approximately 90 days before a show can make a difference- Common mistakes that could leave your calf shedding at the worst possible timeWhether you're preparing for Fort Worth, your county show, or another major livestock show, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you get the most out of your calf's natural potential.**What's your go-to product or routine for growing hair on show cattle?** Drop it in the comments! We want to hear what's working in your barn.Subscribe to Cattle Coach for more conversations about raising champions, building successful cattle operations, and getting better in and out of the show ring.#CattleCoach #ShowCattle #ShowCalves #HairGrowth #StockShow #FortWorthStockShow

Learn From Kolten: https://www.cattle-coach.com/cattle-coach-academy-sign-up-page

The calf everybody wants isn't always the calf you should buy.

When sale season rolls around, there's always that one calf everyone is talking about. It catches everyone's eye, drives up the bids, and looks like the obvious choice. But does being the most popular actually mean it has the best chance of winning?

In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten Thigpen breaks down why the most sought-after show calf isn't always the smartest investment for your family. Drawing from years of experience raising, selling, and evaluating show cattle, Kolten explains why some early favorites fall short while overlooked calves go on to become champions.

We're talking maturity patterns, genetics, show ring presence, hidden potential, and the pressure that comes with buying a high-dollar calf. Plus, why understanding your goals, your showman's abilities, and the animal's long-term potential matters more than following the crowd.

Whether you're buying your first show calf or preparing for another competitive season, this episode will challenge the way you evaluate cattle and help you make more confident decisions.

Because the goal isn't to buy the calf everybody wants. It's to buy the calf that's right for you.

Subscribe to Cattle Coach for more conversations about raising champions, making smarter cattle decisions, and building success in the show cattle industry.

#CattleCoach #ShowCattle #ShowCalves #LivestockShowing #CattleIndustry

Learn From Kolten: https://www.cattle-coach.com/cattle-coach-academy-sign-up-page

Brandon Horn and his family have built a legacy in the show cattle industry that most people only dream about—but the wins are only part of the story.

In this episode, Brandon opens up about the faith, work ethic, family dynamics, sacrifice, and relentless drive behind decades of success. From working seven days a week and approaching every day like “ground zero,” to raising kids under the pressure of a well-known family name, the Horns share the part of winning that most people never see.

They talk about building a marriage and business together, teaching their kids how to handle both winning and losing, trusting God through major decisions, and why Brandon still doesn’t feel like they’re finished.

Plus, Brandon shares stories from some of their biggest wins—including the Fort Worth champion they almost didn’t take.

This is more than a conversation about raising great cattle. It’s about building a family, a reputation, and a legacy without losing sight of what matters most.

Learn from Kolten: https://cattlecoach.com

What happens when cattle handling goes wrong—and what should you actually do differently?

In this episode of The Cattle Coach Show, Kolten reacts to viral cattle videos and breaks down what’s happening in real time. From unloading a heifer that’s ready to bolt to the controversial advice of knowing when to let go, he explains how positioning, halter placement, lead length, and an animal’s fight-or-flight response can completely change the outcome.

He also breaks down one of his own videos involving a difficult birth and a 135-pound calf, why timing matters when a cow needs assistance, and the risks of waiting too long to intervene.

Then there’s the heifer that simply NEVER settled down—despite multiple attempts to work with her—and the hard decisions that come with temperament in a cattle operation. Sometimes the biggest cattle-handling mistake isn’t what you do in the moment. It’s failing to set yourself up for success before things go sideways.

If you enjoy these reaction-style breakdowns, let us know what Kolten should react to next.

#CattleCoach #CattleHandling #Ranching #Cattle #Livestock #RanchLife

Learn From Kolten: https://www.cattle-coach.com/cattle-coach-academy-sign-up-page

One breeding decision today could impact your herd for the next seven years.

In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten breaks down the danger of breeding for what’s hot right now instead of staying focused on where you actually want your operation to go.

From choosing the right sire to studying his mother, offspring, feet, udders, build, and genetics, the decisions you make now can affect your herd for generations.

The scary part? If you get it wrong, you may not know it for years. By the time you see the consequences, you could be looking at selling cattle, buying something new, and starting over.

Do your homework. Know what you’re breeding toward. Make every decision on purpose.

Because the seeds you plant today may not show up for years.

#CattleCoach #CattleBreeding #Ranching #CattleIndustry #ShowCattle

The show cattle industry has a cheating problem, and Kolten says it’s time to stop pretending everyone doesn’t see it.

In this episode of The Cattle Coach Show, Kolten tackles the practice of backdating show cattle and why lying about an animal’s birth date doesn’t just affect one class or one show. It impacts exhibitors, judges, breed associations, data, and ultimately the integrity of the industry itself.

And the argument that “everybody does it” isn’t good enough.

Kolten breaks down why backdating can actually work against an animal as it matures, why judges shouldn’t be responsible for policing dishonest birth dates, and why sacrificing integrity for a ribbon contradicts the values the livestock industry says it wants to teach the next generation.

At the end of the day, the message is simple:

Don’t sacrifice your moral compass for the sake of competition. Just do right.

Subscribe to The Cattle Coach Show for more conversations about show cattle, ranching, breeding, business, and building an operation you can be proud of.

#CattleCoach #ShowCattle #CattleIndustry #StockShow #ShowHeifers #CattleBreeding #Livestock #Ranching

Learn From Kolten: https://www.cattle-coach.com/cattle-coach-academy-sign-up-pageWant to learn more about cattle, breeding, genetics, show cattle, and building a better cattle operation? Check out the Cattle Coach Academy at the link above.In this episode, Kolten takes us behind the scenes at the ranch during calving season and breaks down what he looks for in a newborn show calf — even at just 6 days old.How much can you actually tell about a calf that young? More than you might think.Kolten walks through the traits he starts studying from the moment a calf hits the ground, including vigor, structure, feet, bone, skull shape, hair, color, muscle, temperament, genetics, and overall build. We also take a closer look at a calf out of a $30,000 donor and one of Kolten's favorite bulls and see how close the mating came to producing exactly what he had envisioned.You'll also see the realities of raising cattle in the Texas heat, why newborn calves are sometimes separated from their mothers during the hottest part of the day, how calves are tagged and vaccinated, and some of the management decisions that go into keeping cattle healthy and developing properly.If you're interested in show cattle, show steers, cattle genetics, livestock judging, breeding cattle, embryo transfer cattle, calf evaluation, ranching, cattle management, or the cattle industry, this episode gives you a real-world look at how those decisions are made.Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes cattle content, ranch management, show cattle education, breeding conversations, and practical lessons from the ranch.In this episode:• Evaluating a 6-day-old show calf• What makes a good show steer• Calf structure and hoof shape• Cattle genetics and breeding decisions• Newborn calf care• Managing cattle during extreme Texas heat• Ear tagging and vaccinations• Comparing calves side-by-side• Show cattle development• Ranch management and stewardship#Cattle #ShowCattle #ShowSteers #Ranching #CattleGenetics #Livestock #CattleRanching #CalvingSeason #CattleBreeding #CattleCoach

In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten sits down with Adam and Kara Potts for a conversation about the side of the show cattle industry that doesn’t always get talked about.The Potts family had built the life they thought they wanted: a growing cattle operation, a family they loved, success in the show ring, and goals they were determined to reach. But somewhere along the way, the trophy became more than a goal. Winning became the measure of success, and they realized the pursuit of it was beginning to affect their business, their family, and the way they experienced the industry they loved.Adam and Kara share how financial pressure brought them to a breaking point, the moment their faith became real in a completely different way, and why surrender changed their perspective on success. They also explain why they now believe, “The reason we show is to lose,” and how learning to lose well can build better kids, stronger families, and a healthier perspective on competition. Cattle Coach - PottsThis is a conversation about cattle, competition, marriage, money, faith, raising kids, and realizing that sometimes getting everything you thought you wanted still isn’t enough.If you’ve ever chased the banner, built your life around the next win, or wondered what all of this is really supposed to be about, this episode is worth the listen.