subject: Why Is It That Cows Follow Trains? [print this page] There's a fantastic movie made in the 1950s starring Alistair Sim (maybe most famous for his portrayal of Dickens Scrooge) known as Folly to be Wise. It truly is set in a British army barracks in the 1950s in which a newly arrived camp chaplain (Sim) tries to liven the site up by planning a brains trust. A brains trust involved assembling a small number of local dignitaries and enabling the audience to ask them anything might be on their minds, not unlike what is often referred to as a plenary session in a current day trade conference.
The affair is, not surprisingly, doomed to failure as it ends in a punch up amongst some of the dignitaries however my most favourite bit surrounds one question from the audience which was Why is it that cows in a field run after trains? and the answer from the somewhat potty Mistress of the Manor consisting of in case babies fall out of the window. It isn't a tendency I have witnessed personally and trains now in all probability have baby proof windows. Having said that, it's clear from looking at many walking and hiking blogs that cow conduct is a topic of serious interest to all of us.
In truth it is really a serious issue and there is a particularly distressing tale of a vet in the Yorkshire Dales who was trampled to death by a herd of cows in 2009. Many people are concerned by of a herd of cows in a field as younger ones particularly could well be highly inquisitive, rushing right up to you and following closely whilst you hike.
Things you should not do with cows:
1. Never get in between a cow and it's off-spring. Cows are protective creatures and will guard their young if they think there's a threat. Standing or strolling between a cow and it's off-spring is easily avoided by staying away from walking into the midst of a group of cows if young calves are about. Cows frequently make this much easier for the rambler by moving away from approaching walkers, so long as they see you in enough time.
2. Do not let your pet dog off it's lead near to cows, and stay your distance if somebody else has done this. The noise and view of an unruly dog could cause a lot of strain for farming stock, and is able to start the herd off into a stampede. When you've got a dog and the cows grow to be aggressive toward it, let the dog go. Walkers with dogs have already been trampled to death whilst attempting to protect their dogs.
How to behave if a group of cows is rushing toward you
A sensible technique is to spread out your arms and legs to make the largest possible bulk (should there be more than one of you, group together to create a bigger shape). This may well halt the charge. If not then the next suggestion is to produce a loud noise at the farming stock are heading towards you, and step aside (if possible) to enable them to cross to your side.
