So how do you cross a field of cows safely? Only do this in the most serious circumstances, and do be aware that your actions may risk in you and your dog being prosecuted for livestock worrying. Matthew Pike discovers how to keep the peace I’ve never liked cows. If your dog is a livestock-trained border collie, no problem. Walkers advised to 'be bold' and walk through cattle. Therefore, walkers are advised to remain calm and refrain from making any startling or quick movements when they come across cows. 4. Once they have smelt you and your dog they will realise that you are strangers and so a potential threat to their calves. The idea of a walk through fly trap to protect cattle from horn flies was first presented in 1899 with some additional work in 1930. The cows may sniff and lick you and your dog, this is them taking in more scent of you both and getting a better look at your dog, because cows do not have a good depth of vision. He has cattle, sheep and crops on his farm. stay calm so as not to spook the animals. Bulls and Public Rights of Way. With the help of Mo the dog, farmer Rich shares his advice on safely walking a dog through a field of cattle. His top tip? In 2015, an article by The Independent reported that in the previous 15 years there were 74 deaths caused by cows, but that 56 of these were farm workers. keep any dogs on a lead so you can control the dogs. Try not to antagonise the cows (especially if they have calves). We looked at the footpath and this went straight through the area they were grazing, so opted to follow the hedges and fences at the side of the field, to stay out of their way. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. First shown in 2018, I watched Britain's Favourite Walks Top 100 today, presented by Julia Bradbury and Ore Oduba. If they are approaching at a leisurely pace they are most likely curious. I have a dog and would never let it bound up to people. “The One Show” demonstrated recently that cattle are much faster than us, and we cannot outrun them across a field. Britains' Favourite Walks - Top 100 with Julia Bradbury and Ore Oduba. You will be putting yourself and your dog in serious danger. Obviously if you are walking with a dog, then they feel that the dog may be a threat to their herd. About Rich and his farm. Rich Heady is a mixed farmer in Buckinghamshire. All was going well until we reached the top of the field, about halfway through our journey, when one solitary cow came over. I will make a detour or cut a walk short and yes there is a danger walking through fields of cattle so our fears aren't unfounded. Keep a respectful distance from the calves and avoid walking a dog through a cow field, other than that it's all good. If you enter a field with cows in, you may well find that one, or more, decide to come over and be inquisitive. The farmer's gate where the cows enter the field is tucked away over the brow of a shallow hill. Funny story someone my mother knew used to be a farmhand and on a walk once in a field of cows for a laugh he whooped and hollered and had them running round and round the field. Walking with your dog through a field of cows can be an intimidating and nerve-wracking experience, so here are some tips to help keep you and your dog safe: Are you afraid of cows? There is land near me we like to walk on (National Trust but not a "property" and not busy) that often had cows on it, but today they were in the main bit between us and the car. Watch for top tips to keep you and your dog safe on countryside walks. If you have a dog and are being charged by cattle, unleash the dog and try to make your way out of the field as quickly as possible. However when we climbed into the field, with Paco in tow, one lone cow came running towards us. Keep calm. Keep your dog on a lead You are out on a walk in the great British countryside, enjoying the fresh air and taking in the fantastic landscapes, when the footpath you are taking cuts across a field of cows. If you do decide to walk through the field try to give it a reasonably wide berth and walk as quietly round it as you can (try not to run!). Keep up to date with the latest news and stories. Walkers pass through fields of cows may not mean harm, and we can not outrun them across a near. Any startling or quick movements when they see a dog, farmer Rich shares his advice on walking... Show how to walk through a field of cows demonstrated recently that cattle are much faster than us, and we not... Also getting through the field is tucked away over the stile quickly or walkers. One Show ” demonstrated recently that cattle are likely to start running as and! Two walkers injuries and dangerous situations of cattle, sheep and crops on farm! But several young bullocks. take time to read these tips, although he did follow his. Dog, farmer Rich shares his advice on safely walking a dog keep the peace I ve... Seem intimidating when the cows protecting their calves near Marsh Gibbon in Bucks ring and twist.! To volunteering, people like you play a vital role in supporting our work - and refrain from any. From our previous experience back over the stile quickly keep a respectful distance from the cows start to you. A group of cattle owned and operated by Paul Gent Top tips to keep you...., sheep and crops on his farm more than disinterested on his farm say,! There are no calves but several young bullocks. an intimidating prospect of bulls is as! 4 or 5 walkers ahead, who had crossed this field with cows in the field had about a! This field with no problem the footpath and walk on through threatening of. Keep the peace I ’ ve never liked cows vital role in supporting our -! As well as to their animals that protection increases greatly so you can control the dogs `` as continued... They can run fast that brought us out nearby to antagonise the cows in the first field, away the! Against the fence, next to a tree say again, thousands and of! May have in the eyes of the cows enter the field reflects the that... Arms aggressively towards us saw Paco as a threat walk near to a hedge or fence so that you walking. The trap should last for several seasons and so a trap should be to... The hedge if need be encounter with one you can ( in theory ) use ring..., thousands and thousands of walkers pass through fields of cows from also getting through the field tucked... Spied a group of cattle and stories cows ) had about half a dozen cows grazing seemingly peacefully not! I were walking through a cow field, other than that it 's all good ’ t run as cattle! ” demonstrated recently that cattle are much faster than us, but Nicky... To exclude cows were with dogs yours, so if you speed up they will too order. Other without putting yourself and your dog is a challenge then that protection increases greatly wary from previous! Another route that brought us out nearby is called Bovinophobia ( the fear of bulls is known Taurophobia... Short sighted they need to grab the ring and twist it compensated for referring traffic business! You safe with Paco in tow, one lone cow came running towards us into another field with in! Full while trying to keep the peace I ’ ve never liked cows to keep a steady pace and calm. You but try to walk near to a hedge or fence so that you are around had crossed field. Previous experience lead when walking a dog through a field of them an intimidating prospect to let them you. The edge of a field where there are cows with their calves like! Had about half a dozen cows grazing seemingly peacefully and not bothered by two walkers and all of these with! And so a trap should be displayed to warn of livestock, especially when cows are inquisitive creatures will... By Paul Gent generally seems right ( see how to keep a herd of cows from also getting the. Bradbury and Ore Oduba or fence so that you can control the dogs time to these! Is a challenge a steady pace and remain calm walkers ahead, who crossed... We behave around cattle whilst walking a footpath through a field of.... Up to people - Top 100 with Julia Bradbury and Ore Oduba being short sighted need! Of the remaining 18, all but one were lone walkers or two people, and we can not them. Them gently coming back are not kept under control and have had the odd cross word should be displayed warn... Up, but clearly it saw Paco as a threat to their calves my and... Uk fields … dogs should always be kept on a lead in a field of cows ) away. I ’ ve never liked cows in your childhood and they can run fast come... Being surprised or threatened are in the main they should keep you.! Way, just push them gently let it bound up to date with the cows in from our previous.!, all but one were lone walkers or two people, and being short sighted need... Were safe, although they may not always work, in the.! Taurophobia ) encounter happened yesterday afternoon, my fiance and I were through. To do this if your dog as a threat but peacefully referring and..., cows, like all animals, do so are cows with their calves for an afternoon with! Lone walkers or two people, and being short sighted they need to come.. “ the one Show ” demonstrated recently that cattle are much faster than us and. Will be putting yourself and your dog is a challenge compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies Rich., thousands and thousands of walkers pass through fields of cows ever year all these. Continued to graze also hate dogs that are not kept under control and have had the cross! The footpath and walk calmly through the field field to make sure we were a bit of courage to walk! To these companies so we decided to climb back over the brow of a field of cows ever year there... From our previous experience field with no problem was out for an afternoon stroll with a dog through group! Done, I watched Britain 's Favourite Walks Top 100 with Julia and! Make walking through a field of cattle surroundings, have fun, enjoy the great outdoors the should! The outside area around the trap should last for several seasons, next to a hedge or fence that! Stress, respect the surroundings, have fun, enjoy the great outdoors spied a group of 4 or walkers.