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Post by Pauline on Jul 14, 2009 20:43:04 GMT
Well, Tim and Kris you will be impressed with this..... a couple of weekends ago we ventured to walk through a field of cows with calves during a walk! It was with much trepidation but we knew we had to do it and we survived!  Unfortunately this weekend, while visiting Friestone Shore near Boston, we were not so brave. During a walk we had to cross a stile onto the sea bank, there were a group of cows and calves passing by so we waited until they had gone. But one took a dislike to us and proceeded to block the stile and bellow as loudly as possible, while giving us some very nasty stares. We waited about 15 minutes hoping she would go, but she had not intention. Needless to say we turned around and went back the way we had come!!  Ah well some you win some you don't! For those of you who don't know the story, during a meet last year with Tim and Kris at Kendal we were all attacked by a cow on the walk back from a meal in town and it almost drove us all into the river....it is somewhere in this thread from last year. Summer meet 2008 oh and your lovely gift of the Cow Notelets have come in really handy as you can see below - thank you!!   |
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Post by Derek on Jul 15, 2009 8:03:18 GMT
Hi Pauline Sorry cows are spoiling your walks, we had an incident in Tyneham where about six calves came after the dog. They were just curious and playful but one of the cows thundered over in a panic. Facing her out and shouting stopped her but I wasn't going to walk away till she backed off. When I first retired I spent quite a bit of time helping a farmer friend with his beef herd (Judy was still at work). They always carried a stick when moving stock and when the animals were not going the right way a lot of stick waving and shouting sorted things out. Most stroppy cows will have had a tap on the nose by the farmer and they don't forget so carry a stick. Just raising it will normally make the cow back off. Be brave ;D Just try and forget they are ten times heavier than you Cissbury Ring resident (South Downs National Park)  Derek |
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lizzie
30+ posts.... a 2 wheeler!
Posts: 44
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Post by lizzie on Jul 15, 2009 8:37:07 GMT
I have always understood that it is not safe to venture into fields where cows are with their calves especially with a dog.
The information about walking where animals are grazing seems unclear. I must admit if I have any doubts I tend to err on the side of caution as they are all much bigger than me and definately run a lot faster!
Have we any farmers or livestock experts on the forum who could share their knowledge and save me any scary encounters of the bovine kind?
Lizzie
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Post by Pauline on Jul 15, 2009 10:08:08 GMT
Well we didn't have a dog with us (unless I classify ;D) I think you are right Lizzie, best to err on the side of caution. Derek, I would certainly turn back if the cow in that picture was in the field - those horns give me the shivers!  Perhaps always carrying our hiking poles would be a good idea, just in case. We did try shouting 'mush' but to no avail although perhaps it didn't speak the same farming lingo as around here! |
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Post by Derek on Jul 15, 2009 11:08:16 GMT
Hi Lizzie I am not an expert but I know a man who is  Bulls can be dangerous but it is illegal to put an aggressive one in a field with a public footpath. Cows with calves can panic if they think their baby is threatened, this can make them dangerous. Calves are curious and playful and can come after you. This can spook the mother. Cows don't like dogs. So this is what to do. Try to walk round the herd, even if it means leaving the footpath, it is only pasture. Try to avoid walking between a cow and her calf, this may spook her. If you have a dog and things start looking dodgy, unclip the dog, in an emergency let go the lead. The dog can run faster than the cow, you can't. A lot of deaths are caused by the dog winding the lead round the owners legs. If a cow comes at you face her out, shout a lot, if you have a stick wave that at her. Remember farmers are sensible people (normally), they won't put dangerous stock in a field with public access. If you are trespassing or on open access land you take your chances, the farmers do not have the same duty of care. Perhaps always carrying our hiking poles would be a good idea, just in case. We did try shouting 'mush' but to no avail although perhaps it didn't speak the same farming lingo as around here! Yes stick is a good idea, shouting 'mush' is for huskies, try **** **** ***** *** (ruder the better), in the local dialect ;D I would certainly turn back if the cow in that picture was in the field - those horns give me the shivers! She was just about to run away actually. Derek |
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Post by Pauline on Jul 15, 2009 11:57:41 GMT
Bulls can be dangerous but it is illegal to put an aggressive one in a field with a public footpath. but I don't suppose they know it is dangerous until it's first attack! ;D Yes stick is a good idea, shouting 'mush' is for huskies, try **** **** ***** *** (ruder the better), in the local dialect ;D I think I meant 'cush' is that more like it? |
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Post by Derek on Jul 15, 2009 12:36:31 GMT
but I don't suppose they know it is dangerous until it's first attack! Sadly I think it is often the herdsman that cops it. A bull with a suckler herd will normally be no trouble unless he thinks you are after his ladies. If you are checking the cows for injury he can mistake that for amorous intent I think I meant 'cush' is that more like it? Round here 'ho' is the polite droving cry. If you are behind the cows, hissing can get them moving, don't know why, perhaps they think you are a snake Derek |
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Post by Graham on Jul 15, 2009 14:47:46 GMT
It seems that we have a cow expert in our midst. Isn't this forum amazing for finding out the unexpected.
So lets get this straight, we've got to wave a stick, shout and swear and lot and hiss like a snake! If the men in white coats don't turn up to take us away we will be quite safe. ;D
Thanks for all the info Derek, we might be a little more confident armed with "inside" information.
Graham
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Post by Derek on Jul 15, 2009 16:15:18 GMT
It seems that we have a cow expert in our midst. Expert, you must be joking, they would have  up at the farm, they used to call me 'the boy' So lets get this straight, we've got to wave a stick, shout and swear a lot Yep, thats how you load a cattle truck |
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