How do you feel about walking through a field of cows?

Scam said:
How do you feel about walking through a field of cows?
Click to expand...

Perfectly comfortable. I've done it plenty of times.

They are curious by nature, so they'll likely come and take a look at you. No harm in that, provided you don't allow yourself to be hemmed in. Also stay clear of their heads; if they turn too fast, they can send you flying with a single flick of their neck.

If they're in the company of calves, be extra cautious.
 
There was a spate of members of the public walking dogs off lead on land with cattle and sheep round here last year, not on public footpaths, just deciding to let them have a run in some random farmer's field. At the last count five or six dogs had been shot for chasing or worrying cattle or sheep. Plus if you have a dog that worries cattle and it comes back to you with a herd in stampede mode behind it, you are in big trouble as people find to their cost every year. ALWAYS keep your dog on a lead and don't let it approach cattle. Although most UK dairy and beef cattle are de-horned these days, not all are, and a fully horned cow or bull in full charge is an awesome sight, especially when he has his eyes firmly fixed on you or your pet. And no, you not can't outrun a bull or a cow that's decided to charge...
hamish.jpg
 
Surprised this hasnt been posted more. Ohh also you should have had one person distract the cows and the other walk through the gate and then vice versa....you would suck at co-op gaming OP :D


 
Generally Cows, Cows and Calves will just be curious, you run they will chase.

Problems occur when jo public have a dog, and the cattle dont like it and want to attack/chase it. Instead of letting it go, they pick them up or try to fight off a half ton animal, the result's are predictable. Unfortunately you can't teach common sense.

Only time im hyper cautious is if im in a pen with a cow and newborn calf, my escape route will always be in my mind.

The breed of the animal will also have an additional factor. Limousin cattle, which are a popular breed in this country for beef cattle can be pretty damn nuts, some farmers will not use them for that reason alone.
 
I'm always wary of bulls in general, I am constantly berating my wife for her Cavalier attitude to our bull. He's usually a calm chap, but sometimes he can get grumpy. Friesian bulls get my total respect, they can be very unpredictable in my experience, even when well handled.
 
The only time I'd be cautious going through a field is if there's a bull or if I have a dog, otherwise it's not a big deal.
 
My postman took a shortcut through the back field once and ended in hospital as he was trampled.

Calves and young cows can be boisterous and run around. Just be predicable and never ever run as they will chase you thinking its a game out of curiosity. They startle easy and will generally run off if they or you get too close, just don't let the sudden movement startle you. If there's public access to the field that's sign posted, you'll be just fine. they wouldn't put them out in a publicly accessible field if there was any immediate danger.

They are also more curious about dogs, so keep them close and under control as you could end up collateral from a startled cow, or worse, they could accidentally crush your dog.
 
Burnsy2023 said:
The only time I'd be cautious going through a field is if there's a bull or if I have a dog, otherwise it's not a big deal.
Click to expand...
a lot of people with this attitude by the sounds of it. Curious if you had to walk through a herd of them, so close you could touch them, would you feel the same?
 
Scam said:
a lot of people with this attitude by the sounds of it. Curious if you had to walk through a herd of them, so close you could touch them, would you feel the same?
Click to expand...

I've done that on many occasions, even with calves in the herd. You need to be aware of the cows and their temperament, but whilst am aware, I've never been concerned.
 
Scam said:
So, am I a total wuss? Would you have happily walked (closely) through a field of mean-looking cows and risked being flattened into a pulp? :)
Click to expand...
Yes you are and yes I would. Have been doing so for nigh-on four decades without a single worry.

Can't say the same for my wife, unfortunately, but then if she's not scared of something she'll certainly be allergic to it...
We and our three pups had to cross several such fields on a Shropshire holiday/dog walk last year. She was actually trembling with fear, panicking and breathing hard, so I was designated impromptu cowboy for the day... didn't even get me a hat or a horse!!
Dogs didn't give a Shi-tzu about the cows. Just wondered why we kept stopping on such lovely long walks.

Scam said:
But then reading closer there's been about 500 injuries which is a not-inconsiderable amount.
Click to expand...
That's 38 people KSI per year.
How many people KSI'd on the road, despite vehicle safety features, and do you still drive/ride/cycle?
Given the number of people who walk, ramble, hike, bimble and generally pass through through cattlefields every year, if it was that dangerous you'd think there'd be more about it.

Scam said:
So, next question- how do you find walks in the countryside that are cow-free? :D
Click to expand...
Go to places with the word 'Forest' in the name...?

Greebo said:
Where is the outcry on facebook about the 74 innocents killed?
Click to expand...
In all the reports posted, I don't recall seeing the word "innocent" anywhere...
Chances are they did something stupid or weren't paying attention anyway.

Blackjack Davy said:
Dog and calves you have to watch out for otherwise its ok. They see dogs as predators
Click to expand...
Seen a pair of Collies used for herding 70+ head of cattle across a busy A-road before. That was impressive!!
But yes, let the dog go.

Burnsy2023 said:
The only time I'd be cautious going through a field is if there's a bull or if I have a dog, otherwise it's not a big deal.
Click to expand...
Dogs should be under control and on lead, ready to be released if you have trouble, but generally bull fields are (or should be) signed clearly, precisely so you don't go in there!
 
Our dog does not like people with hats on, or people that walk "weird" I wonder if cows have the same issue (i'm guessing a person with a hat or walking odd is not recognised as a person).. anyone fancy testing if cows are more likely to chase hat wearing weirdo's?
 
There's a big difference between dairy herds that are handled twice a day and used to people, to noises and often other animals, and beef cattle that may not see anyone at all for days and days. I have Highland Cattle and whilst they usually take no notice of me or our dogs, they certainly get nosey if I take a stranger in the fields, and stop whatever they are doing to investigate. That means they are very capable of realising a stranger is about, they have excellent eyesight and excellent hearing. They also recognise all our dogs and take no notice even if several go right up to them. but a strange dog will have them all a flutter and in flight or fight mode. It's all very well having a Cavalier attitude about walking amongst a strange herd of cattle, 99% of the time they won't do more than show mild interest, but being amongst a herd that gets agitated and starts running is a VERY dangerous place to be, so take sensible precautions. Someone mentioned loosing a dog that is the unwarranted attention of cattle. That's a good move, a dog will even outrun a fit bull, and give YOU chance to show your fence vaulting, or immunity to electric fence shock skills. TIP: If you have to jump an electric fence by holding the top wire, take a manly grasp of it and the shock is quite tolerable, fanny about brushing at it and its very unpleasant :)

Think cow, if you are carrying anything it may well be they think it's edible and want to come and smell it. Best hide bags and boxes... And trust me, a cow that's got the hump is just as dangerous as a bull, but it's much less likely to happen... but a cow with a young calf can be VERY protective, so don't go near them! Friends with grazing land crossed by public footpaths often regale me with tales of just how bleedin' stupid said public can be, and also how inconsiderate they can be!
 
Burnsy2023 said:
I've done that on many occasions, even with calves in the herd. You need to be aware of the cows and their temperament, but whilst am aware, I've never been concerned.
Click to expand...
This is what gets me. I've never had a pet, don't understand animals. I must have missed the lessons in understanding cows' temperament at school :confused:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom