“… Sometimes Alice would liven things up a bit and from ambling by my side, she would suddenly change her speed, kick up her heels, and disappear out of sight. I would continue to amble with the other house cow and then several hundred yards further I would spot Alice trying to play hide-and-seek. She would do her best to hide behind a walnut tree but of course she was too big, and as soon as she realized I had seen her, she would gallop off again and hide behind the next one and so on until we reached the cow pen.”

Above is an exert from a little book entitled “The Secret Life of Cows” by Rosamund Young. Through her lifelong, hands-on running of Kite’s Nest Farm in Worcestershire, England, she brings new insight into the intelligence and delightful individuality of cows.

Observation shows that if cows are allowed the right conditions to live in, they make very good decisions. About food, sustenance, medicinal adjuncts, the weather; about each other and about humans.

They love each other (at least some do); they can hold grudges, solve problems, and babysit for each other. They communicate with other cows, and in their own way with people. Cows make friends for life and are good company. They generally love music and can invent games.

Take Print from Kite’s Nest for example. Turns out she was a bit obsessed with a toque that was worn persistently by one of the farm workers.She would approach him affectionately and want to be stroked. Then as soon as she had the opportunity, she would neatly remove the hat with her teeth and drop it in the straw. However many times it was replaced, she would gently take it again. She enjoyed the interaction… he refused to change his hat. She never removed anyone else’s.

I wonder… was it her game? a show of her fondness of this person?… or perhaps a sign that, among other things, cows have a sense of fashion?!!

PS. Highly recommend this book!!! So much so that we have located a few copies to sell at the shop. A truly charming read!