Printable View
Is a horse being fully black a factor in it's aggressiveness? I've never had a problem with horses, but I have had nasty experiences with cows occasionally.
Also, someone earlier posted that dairy cows were usually fine - I thought them was the buggers, and beef cattle (or bulls) were normally pretty placid?
I think it is dairy cattle, especially the bulls that tend to be more aggressive, probably all that testosterone from having to constantly 'deliver the goods' all the time if you get my meaning. That said a good bull on your farm is worth it's weight, a pedigree bull will set you back a bit.
I don't think many of us will be intending to do a bit of mucking out while out running or walking Luke!Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
Seriously that was bad news yesterday about the couple in Nottinghamshire and reading such things makes me even more wary of cattle and horses, although I've always tried to give them a wide berth as much as possible anyway.
It's a tragic story indeed. I hate bloody cows and have had so many close encounters with them I think I've developed a real phobia :o I've been charged at on a couple of occasions and the dog theory is all very well but if the bleedin dog is a. a whimp and b. trained to run at heel then your as close to the cows as the dog is and have no 'distraction' at all!!
Fridays run and I bumped into this lot...I'd already run into the field the herd saw me then chased me so I hot footed it back the way and jumped back over the little fence :boohoo: the only to get through was to run up a hill negotiate a barbed wire fence and LEG IT back down the field to the opposite side squeeling all the way!!
The worst experience I had was in Hayfield - lethal things
Attachment 4126Attachment 4127
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
(apologies, don't know why that didn't quote properly)
Yes know that they went for us because of the dog but as emmilou quite rightly pointed out we train our dogs to stay with us so they are not about to go bounding off away from us just becuase there are cows around. My dog is terrified of cows and will hide behind our legs at the sight of them (despite being a german shepherd cross).
If you read my post you will see that my husband was flapping his arms out wide and making himself bigger and shouting at them, they weren't fazed by it all.
You are speaking like someone who has never been attacked by cows, and like I said a year or two ago I would have said the same as you. But having been in that position I now know different. Hope you never have to find out first hand.
As for the comment about horse I can only assume that you don't have much to do with horses. They can be the most jumpy irrational animals, including with humans. Domesticated or not with strangers they can still be jumpy. You'd never let yourself get cornered in their box but IMO are unlikely to get into difficulties in a field becuase their instinct is to stay away from danger. I'd always keep my dog well away from them but mainly cause they are so damn jumpy I wouldn't want the dog getting hurt. Luckily he's scared of horses too and so stays well away!! :rolleyes:
It didn't quote properly because you missed out the ] at the end of the final [/QUOTEQuote:
Originally Posted by Flopsy(apologies, don't know why that didn't quote properly)Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
You can always go back and edit it.
Did anyone see Country File ? Adam the farmer had to seperate the calfs from the Mum,one tried to escape in the field he ran after it and waved at it to shift it.Brave man
The odds of being killed by a cow = getting on for 1 in 15,000,000; you stand more chance of winning the lottery ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Flopsy
The odds of a cow being killed by a human in a year = 1 in 2
Most of those killed by cows are farmers and vets. 12 deaths by cow a year is much less than the 50 a year killed whilst gardening.
12 deaths by cow a year and people are scared of walking through fields. 3000 road traffic deaths a year but everyone is fine with driving :)
(You can prove anything with statistics)
Well said that man.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stolly
You can't compare those stats as less people walk through fields, less often, than drive cars :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Deadlegs
True Flopsy, best ask an actuary for two insurance quotes, one to insure yourself against death by car and another against death by cow (actually fine tune this one for with and without dog). That should give you a feel for the relative risks involved.
Honestly flopsy in the summer I run through fields with cows (and bulls) in all the time. And nowadays thats with my dog (who's a right cow scaredy pants). Yes I do have run ins with the odd cow or two but meet them on the front foot, clap and wave your hands and "Yaaaaaarrrgh" at them and they back off. They're are protective of calves so go round a herd rather than through it given the choice. If they start walking towards you, walk towards them (not away) and loudly tell them to bugger off - that seems to work for me. I tend not to run when I'm going through a herd but walk and chat to the cows as I go through - my dog on the other hand runs a huge, often massive loop around them so I might just follow him instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by Flopsy
I don't run with the dog as he has medical problems but as a general rule of thumb I would do exactly what you say.
But on the one occasion things got way out of control none of it made any difference.
It just goes to show how one experience can be so traumatising that it changes your outlook on things. Like a switch in the brain I guess.
Personally I still think that there have been enough instances of aggression with cows that farmers should be forced to take a more responsible attitude. Currently they only have to take more precautions with a solitary bull. It wouldn't have that great an impact on what they do to take measures to protect other land users. A moveable battery powered electric fence in fields where there are young'uns, that's all. I don't think that's a lot to ask to save lives and stop instancs of aggression.
However, nobody is killed by a cow whilst gardening. So, my cunning plan is: if approached by a herd of irate-looking cows, simply start gardening. Statistically, you'll be safe.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherton Lad
There's always a first time, tf, but what a way to go.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tussockface
This reminds me of a teacher who (in the 70s) told our class that the best way to avoid being on a plane on which a terrorist had planted a bomb was to take one on yourself. What are the chances of being on a plane with two bombs!
I hope he wasn't a maths teacher. If you always take one on yourself, the risk would be the same (assuming you're not planning on detonating yours).Quote:
Originally Posted by Deadlegs
using that as your reasoning you could eaqualy run naked. As far as I can see no one has been injured either whilst naked fell runningQuote:
Originally Posted by Tussockface
Being part Bull terrier I cant see the problem. Its the two legs I worry about, he is so slow.
Dont tell him I have been using the pc again
Billy(see avatar)
I don't really agree and look on my close encounters with cows and bulls as all part of the fun and adventure of being out there. All the same the Ramblers Association are raising one or two questions with the NFU - see here Ramblers AssociationQuote:
Originally Posted by Flopsy
New breeds and observed changes in temperament would suggest a review is necessary, though knee-jerk changes often cause unintended consequences.
But if you were unlucky enough to get injured when you tried it, the injury rates for naked fell running would suddenly be 100%. It'd rocket to the top of the adrenalin junky top sports list, along with base jumping and free climbing.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
About 8 years ago I was driving into Devizes to go shopping when I spotted a naked man striding purposefully eastwards towards Rushall. It was one of those 'slap yourself on the cheek to make sure you are awake' moments. Not a cow in sight, though.
Perhaps if you'd stopped and slapped HIM on the cheek he'd have got from Devizes to Rushall even more purposefully.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherton Lad
It's a thought. I'm just trying to imagine the headlines.
It's hardly fell running, but there is a naked marathon run in France each year, off road, round and round a large naturist camp. I have been wondering if people would enjoy an account of it - I read about it in the french "Jogging Magazine", and could contribute a summary if asked. As all participants so far have worn shoes, there is an opportunity there to take the record for being the first barefoot naked marathon participant.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
Cows to naked marathon running in 5 posts, only with the FRA. I may have posted this before, if so, apologies.
The Germans love their FKK and, whilst living in Berlin for 3 years in the 80s, there was a lake in the Gruenewald where the Germans would sunbathe naked. This included the queue for the ice cream and hamburger van. It was surprising how often our cross country team 7 mile run took in a lap of the Teufelsee during the summer months.
The Berlin marathon in those days of the Wall used to finish on the Ku'damm. One year I was wearily having a post-race shower in a large Army tent in the street when a German woman popped in and joined me in the hot water. 'Hallo', she said, 'Und how was it for you?' I didn't know where to put myself.
I'm sure I saw a film that started like that once..!Quote:
Originally Posted by Brotherton Lad
As long as it wasn't called, "Eine Dusche auf dem Ku'damm", that's absolutely fine.
Just noticed I managed to get cow into that post.
Yeah, good luck with that:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Flopsy
I've rarely met a farmer that didn't already know everything about everything. My wife's cousin is a farmer and he used to be fairly blase about his stock, until an animal on a neighbouring farm severely injured a walker in an unprovoked attack. He's a bit more careful now.
His advice; dairy stock are usually ok (black and white Holstein/Freisans) but younger beef stock (especially the brown Limousins) are unpredictable and you shouldn't take children into a field with them.
This thread is udderly ridiculous, all this anti cow abuse is really cheesing me off.
However it has given me a new idea for an event that would make the most adrenalinated! of adrenaline junkee thake note. Fell running at night (no head torch) with cow tipping. You could run it like a MM score event :w00t:
That's a criminal offence isn't it? If it's not then it should be. Probably.
Not sure if this has already been said (eight pages...probably...) but cows produce cow sh1t, and today i tried a new training route, ten miles with mostly off-road and some decent inclines, but part of it went through four fields. Yes, fields for cows, clearly not humans despite the footpath signs, and all four were between ankle and knee deep in cow sh1t and slurry!
My long-suffering wife was not amused at my fell shoes, sock, shorts, well...all of me really when I got back...oops!
cow pats and sheep crap are all part of the deal with fell and off road running, whilst I don't deliberately tread in it I have to say it doesn't really bother me tbh. Knee deep is a bit much though, I think you need another route ;)
Sweet baby Jesus, another death!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-11854468
Suggesting unwarranted violence against livestock - there is a lot of deep seated anger in you I thinkQuote:
Originally Posted by Roy Scott
I can't believe it has been over 18 months since a post! The bovine offensive continues. It is worth paying extra attention as some Cows have calves with them at this time of year.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-18360762