Being chased by cows

[emmay35]

Whilst walking with my family the other day, we got chased by a herd of cows. Luckily we managed to get out of the field in one piece, but as a result my 2 children are petrified of going near them again! Can anyone tell me what makes them chase and is it safe to just stand your ground?!

[kaktus]

I think, I don't know for sure, that cows are a very curious by nature. They almost always come to the fence if you walk by them. I would guess that they came running becuase they were curious or they thought you guys had some delicious food with you. Again I think they would never tramble you on purpose but I'm not exactly what you would call a cow expert.

It would be a shame if your children devolped a fobia of cows or the like. I would recommend that you take your children to talk to the cows on the other side of fence. I can understand why they're scared though, I think I would have been pretty scared myself.

[kaktus]

ps. Maybe you can ask the owner of the cows? S/he must know if they were being curious, hungry or something entirely else and maybe s/he will let your children come close to one cow instead of a whole herd of them.

[dilligaf]

They are curious, most times when they see humans is when they are due to be fed or milked so their instinct it to approach you. If you feel threatened walk towards them, they will back down, you can clap your hands but the farmer will not be too happy, probably frighten them resulting in low milk yield. Do not confuse cows with bulls or bullocks. They can be really stroppy.

[Cetti]

You might find this post interesting emmay

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Animals_and_Nature/Question118011.html

[Buenchico]

I remember walking across a field with a school group of 13 year olds. We were half way across the field when a group of heifers decided that it was time to get curious and (apparently) 'launched an attack' on the main body of the group (who were some way behind me). The resulting flight of a couple of dozen 'tough, steetwise' kids was incredibly funny to watch. Just one lad was unconcerned - he stood still with a big grin on his face and, as the herd slowed and gathered round him, threw his arms around the neck of the nearest animal. Guess which kid lived on a farm?

Cows are beautiful, friendly creatures who just get curious from time to time.

Chris

[Crazy Daizy]

cows are very dosile and curious so dont panic!!!!!!!!!Cattle with calves also are very protective and will chase anything away and they really hate dogs!!!!!!!!!

[saffstar]

Cows seemed to be transfixed by my dog (well, she was lovely!!)  There was one occasion, when we were out walking; she climbed up on to a bank next to a field and sat down, and a herd of calves came over and stood, in a semi-circle, gazing at her through the hedge - it was bizarre, it looked like she was telling them a story or something!  Loads of other times cows followed us (admittedly on the other side of the hedge) along our walks, I think they probably are just friendly and curious, but it's very unfortunate that they're massive and have no concept of how intimidating they can be.

[Mrs R]

I have two horses and they are kept on a livery yard where they also breed cows.  The cows can get very protective when they have just calfed.  I once saw the owner of the yard get trampled by a cow that had just calfed - it was awful but it was instict for it to protect it's baby.  They also get to know people, when the owner of the yard goes to the field where the cows are they all start mooing and walking towards her as they either think they are getting fed or moving fields.  I have just put my horses in the field with the cows and when I go up to check on them the cows have started mooing at me and walking towards me, hence the swift exit.