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cattle

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which way:
I am relatively new to walking as a hobby, but that does not mean I have not been on walks in the past.
I seem to remember, say ten years ago,  on lowland walks through fields full of cattle. The cattle almost always seemed to have a passive look about their faces, and at the very most saunter over to you to investigate.
Of late however, on more than one occasion in different places,  the cattle seem to look at you with intent and support that look by galloping towards you,  still with intent on their faces.
I do not consider myself a wimp, but I must admit, whilst judging the look on their faces and realising their momentum,  again on more than one occasion,  found myself scrambling over a fence,  for what I believed to be my own safety.
Anyone had similar experiences?
W W

Lost Soul:
Hi WW

For starters have a look at this thread.

http://micronavigation.com/forum/index.php?topic=695.0

You might like to do a search of the Forum for cattle.  If I recall correctly the subject has cropped on more than one occasion.

LS

ianj37:
I've never been attacked or even had any cows come towards me but due to what I've read I must say that I get a little nervous just going through a field with cattle in.
Despite the advice it's not always possible to give them a wide berth so unless they're on the path I just follow it and am prepared to make a run for it (this is very much mind over the facts of aging, I suspect they would catch me very quickly)!

The number of reports of cattle attacks is either on the up or the reporting of them is - the latest appears to be a poor sould walking a dog who was critically injured in Cumbria on bank holiday Monday - http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2015/08/31/dog-walker-critical-after-being-trampled-by-cows-at-brampton-cumbria

captain paranoia:
This thread, too:

http://micronavigation.com/forum/index.php?topic=389.msg2616#msg2616

I had encounters with young bullocks on Sunday, with some starting to run towards me. A 'stern word' stopped them in their tracks. A calm word soothed the skittish ones.

Always worth being sensibly wary of large animals.

Hugh Westacott:
I believe that most of the walkers killed by cattle have been accompanied by a dog for which cattle have a strong aversion. My daughter lives in dairy country and has her own dogs and a dog-walking business but she never takes them into a field containing cattle. If you are with a dog, the advice given by the National Farmers' Union and the Ramblers when cattle show interest in your dog, is to let go of the leash and allow the dog take care of itself; most dogs can outrun cattle.

My observations suggest that:
Bulls pastured in fields crossed by public rights of way are usually harmless, especially when with cows, but should be given a wide berth.

Mature milking cows are usually lethargic and merely keep a watchful eye on humans (unless you are with a dog). BUT, you should never go near a cow with a small calf because she might attack you.

Heifers (female virgin cattle), which can be distinguished from bullocks because they lack a penis, are lively but are almost always harmless. They will often come running towards you because they lead boring lives and you may be the one point of interest in their day, but will come skidding to a stop before they reach you. Wave your arms and they will run away, or just follow you at a safe instance and will appear to be disappointed when you cross into the next field..

Bullocks, also known as steers, are castrated bulls so have a penis but lack the large scrotum of a bull. Bullocks rarely reach old age, because they are reared for their meat, and behave much like heifers.

All cattle are livelier in the spring when they are released onto fresh pasture after spending the winter in barns. I've seen elderly cows skipping with joy when first released. Herds of young cattle will sometimes run up and down or round and round a field giving the impression of a stampede. It looks alarming but they won't come close unless you are with a dog.

I never allow dogs on the walks that I lead.

Hugh

For a preview of the 5th edition of my book The Walker’s Handbook; Everything you Need to Know about Walking in the British Isles click on http://walkwithwestacott.com/. Then click on ‘Reviews of The Walker’s Handbook' in the Navigation panel to the right of the illustration of the cover.

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