cows

There is a nice 5 mile loop around Sussex Uni that I ran a few times in the winter. I tried it again last nigth and about half way round a field had been filled with cows (I'm sure they weren't there in the winter). Anyway just as we reached the gate they all decided to run down the hill and ended up congregating on the footpath. I opted for aviodance, and we tried to find an alternative route, but ended up going back the way we'd come.

Now the logical part of my brain says the there wouldn't be a footpath going through a feild of cows if they were dangerous (and they paid little attention to the two blokes on bikes who passed through the feild at around the same time.

The city girl side of my brain said, they're blooming much bigger than me and can probably out run me.

So what do other runners do when faced with the same situaition (or walkers for that matter?)

I never used to be wary of cows (amybe cos you dont encounter them much in the city!) but last year when walking in roughly the same area we got surrounded by a herd. They didn'tdo anything, just stared and occasionally mooed but it was very unnerving..

I would be cautious - cows are nosy but they can also be very dangerous if spooked.

I read the other day about a woman walking her dog who was trampled by cows - she suffered broken ribs and bruising. I think her dog probably scared the cows who stampeded.

I love cows, but like any animal you should always be wary and if necessary, slow down or stop in order ensure that you don't scare them.

they are wonderful creatures!!

Yes!

Cow's are not as stupid as they look, they are like hoodies they hang around in groups and attack on mass.

LOL! I love that cartoon!

I bet cows are EXACTLY like that!

Although I don't quite like the comparison to chavs....

Thanks BB

Just Moo it! I love it. Wonder if I can get a t-shirt like that one?

oh yeah- was going to say something, but was side tracked by the cartoon!

I went running while on holiday in the south of Ireland last year, and the route i took, meant i passed several fields with cows in, and I swear, they would see me coming from a distance, and all congregate near to the field wall... and as I ran past, they would follow me along untill they had to stop because of the field boundries.... it happened everytime! they were scarey cows.... like something out of a Hitchcock film!!!!!!

Be cautious.

I have had to walk through a herd of cows some with calfs as they congregated in the corner of a field by the stile you used to exit. I was quietly carping myself.

I am not normally fussed, but I did literally have to walk through them.

If you see a cow with calf....try to give it a wide berth as they can be protective.

If you get chased by a load - chances are theyre being nosy....ive had it happen to me lots of times. If you stop, wave your arms and/or clap they will stop.

When I take my sons for a walk my 8yr always ask me to check mapometer so we can avoid cow fields  

Nick L wrote (see)

If you get chased by a load - chances are theyre being nosy....ive had it happen to me lots of times. If you stop, wave your arms and/or clap they will stop.

Cows will only be aggressive if there are new born calves in the field too. Mostly they are just being nosy. This grouping usually occurs in the late spring due to the fact that the animals have spent most of the winter couped-up in pens and they are used to being feed by the farmer. When they see walkers/runners in the fields they assume they are going to be fed...hence the grouping.

Do not take a dog in a field where there are calves...the cows will charge to protect the young animals.      

Hey! Can't compare cows to "Hoodies".

LiP - I am the opposite, I WANT routes that go through cow fields and try and go there at the right time of day

Pity I don't like running on mud though....

I'd be cautious.

I'm also confused about this 'cow tipping' business and am wondering how much the going rate for tipping a cow is.

Do they have to be polite and offer you a dessert menu?

Hmm.

On a serious note ( not like me at all)

They are animals and as with all animals you should be cautious when dealing with them.

Horses, cows even sheep and goats can kill you.

Just keep your whits about you and stay safe

But saying that they are less dangerous than cars, dogs (off leads) cyclists on pavements and other runners wearing ipods whilst worshiping satan!

Thanks for the responses. Liked all the cartoons too.

Think I've come up with four solutions:

Proceed through the field with caution (does that mean I should take off my ipod when I do?!)

Avoid the route

Bring a big scary guy with me and let them deal with the cows while I hide behind him!

Bring a slower friend with me and then sprint through the field and hope the cows turn on them instead!