Anyone scared of cows?

boliston

boliston

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Adrian
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I usually like to go for a lunchtime stroll and one of my routes takes me through a field that sometimes has cows in it.

Today I was half way across the field and about 20 cows + 1 horse started walking towards me from the other side of the field.

I thought the best bet is to try and ignore them and just keep walking at a normal pace which seemed to work as they just kept following me but with about a 2 cow length gap, but I'm never keen on going through the field with the cows, but there are not really any ways to get round any other way.

I took a snap on my phone when I had just finished walking through the field

moo.jpg
 
Nothing to worry about Adrian, Cows and Steers are naturaly inquisitive animals and more than likely think you have something for them, I would advise not waving a jar of Horseradish at them though :D If you were to stop and turn around they will usualy come within a few feet of you and stop, with the odd one or two just pushing their head forward to have a good sniff.
 
This lot are just being nosey.

Be wary of cows if they have calves with them though.............:thumbs:

Look like some British Shorthorns in that lot?
 
yes I'm scared of cows and I never go anywhere where they can 'get' me - read so many stories about them crushing people. I was almost crushed at Craster on the path to Dunstanburgh castle when they all came rushing in for milking. If you are in their path they will walk over you.
 
That group would just be hoping for food this time of year.
They can start playfully running and accidentally get closer than they wanted to you as the brakes aren't that good in the wet!
As above it's cows with young calves are far more likely to turn aggressive especially if you have a dog or look in some way 'unusual' with a big flappy coat or something.

A confident manner is important and though continuing on your way without rushing is fine, if they get close it can be good to just stand and quietly face them while they have a look at you and decide you aren't a threat.
Often they're simply curious which can seem threatening with them being so big.
 
boliston said:
I usually like to go for a lunchtime stroll and one of my routes takes me through a field that sometimes has cows in it.

Today I was half way across the field and about 20 cows + 1 horse started walking towards me from the other side of the field.

I thought the best bet is to try and ignore them and just keep walking at a normal pace which seemed to work as they just kept following me but with about a 2 cow length gap, but I'm never keen on going through the field with the cows, but there are not really any ways to get round any other way.

I took a snap on my phone when I had just finished walking through the field

moo.jpg
Click to expand...

Bullocks. :lol:
 
This reminded me of a photo I took a few years ago as part of a 365 photo project (hence the rather poor image quality) . . .

Four+cows+1.jpg
 
I'm not afraid of cows, but I do respect them. They're inquisitive, and usually docile, but they're also big, powerful, animals and can move pretty quickly. Several people - including at least one vet - have been killed by cattle in the last few years. Cows with calves can be very defensive, and dogs seem to be an irritant in many cases.
 
People I know who have been attacked by cows fall into two categories....
1) They ran... Cows think it is a brilliant game and give chase. They can run faster than you can, but can't stop as quickly. Splat.
2) They had dogs.... Cows hate dogs with a passion. They chase dogs for pleasure as long as they think they can get away with it (farm dogs must have special training). Pet dogs hide behind the owner. Splat.

Never get into a situation where the cows start running; they go mental.
Sometime they start running to catch up. If that happens then I turn around and walk towards them waving my arms; this is good enough to stop them running and often also stops them following me.
If they are especially frisky (very rarely happens), then when I get in range of a cow I'll whack their nose with the OS map which makes a nice loud bang. That has always worked.
 
Having never really spent time watching cows I was amazed at the speed they can get up to. There are some in the field opposite and they can belt along. It's also quite funny to watch the calves running around and frolicking like large dogs.

I'd think twice before going into a field with them in though. If pushed I'd probably walk around the edge of the field rather than through the middle.

They're pretty revolting creatures though. They walk along chewing grass and peeing where they eat!
 
As an aside, it rarely happens but you don't want to be kicked by a cow. It can be far more serious than a kick from a horse due to the split hoof pinching as it impacts your guts, often causing more internal damage than is initially apparent.

Best to MOOve out of the way. :D
 
What goes "zooooooom"?

A cow running backwards very fast.
 
If you are not relaxed in their company stay out of the field. Animals seem to recognise when people are timid.
I walk in the countryside every day and avoid going into fields where there are large animals. I have a dog, but would still do that if I was on my own.
Another hazard they pose is that at this time of year the ground so sodden and soft that the hoof prints make it easy to go over on an ankle.
 
there's also no. 3 Duncan, me at Craster, not running and no dog...
 
Not in the slightest bit scared of them, if you show them respect and don't spook them you will normally be fine. They are very intelligent and very inquisitive animals. (Yes there are a few farming fatalities each year due to crush injuries by livestock - 9 x out of 10 due to unsafe handling practices / cutting corners to get things done quickly.

Saying that if there are calves around be a lot more about your wits as they are also pretty protective of their young.

Here's Daisy I took in Cornwall when still very new to DSLR - 85mm focal length - as you can see non threatening and very inquisitive.


moo.jpg
 
Lynton, that cow looks evil (sorry) and ready to eat human....also looks very big and ready to squash human
 
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I'm not scared I really enjoyi a sailing meet
up!!!!!!!!
 
I hate cows!!!

I got chased by a group of them on the coast to coast, I have NEVER run so fast in my life, even with a 20kg rucksack on my back!! :lol: :lol:
 
Cows are cool, apart from certain breeds that have taken up the new pastime of stamping on dogs.


DSC_4241.jpg


Butter wouldn't melt!
 
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