I am intimidated by cows. There, I said it. I have known about my somewhat irrational fear for a long time, but usually, I contain it. Today, however, the fear of cows won out, and I climbed over an electric fence.
Naturally, I checked that it wasn’t live before I went, although there was a stile offering safe passage, so I am not sure if a live fence would have even slowed me down. (See below if you don’t know how to test an electric fence).
Growing up in a city, I had almost no exposure to farm animals and irrational or not, I have a fear of cows. And while other people walk through the paddocks, passing cows without incident, I find myself trembling.
Are you wondering how someone with a fear of cows found herself walking through a paddock filled with them? That’s easy, there are many paddocks in the nearby regional park, most are free of animals, several will have grazing sheep, but only a few have cows.
The hiking trails pass through paddocks, often surrounded by an electric fence. Therefore, sometimes, I get to walk through a paddock with cows.
Don’t let the cows scare you … let the park inspire you …
Fear of cows has a name!
The good news for me is that I am not alone. In fact, there are enough people who share my fear of cows that scientists have come up with a name for it. Or should I say two names?
So then the question became, did I have bovinophobia or taurophobia. I guess technically, I have both, but on the day in question, the one in which I was so intimidated by a cow relaxing in the field that I felt compelled to quickly test and then climb over an electric fence to “get away” – that would be bovinophobia.
- Bovinophobia – fear of cows or cattle (Bovi is Latin for ox or cattle)
- Taurophobia – fear of bulls (Tauro is Latin for bull)
Check out FearOf.net for more on this.
My fear of cows is stronger than my fear of the electric fence!
Normally I don’t give this electric fence a second thought, although I give it a safe distance.
Today I turn to the left and realize we are walking through a field of intimidating cows. Okay, maybe they don’t look that frightening, but just in case, I need an exit strategy. (As we all know, I am a bit afraid of cows.)
My rational mind tries to take over as I know these cows in Shakespear Park are not going to harm us. They are used to humans. And besides, they are far away and completely disinterested in us.
Continuing I ignore the cows until . . . she looks up at us. That’s it, she just looked, she didn’t stand or move, just turned her head and stared. My imagination took over.
I wasn’t going to wait around to find out. Using a stile to safely climb over the electric fence without touching it and I am out of there.
How to safely test if an electric fence is live
I don’t know about you, but I am not keen on getting an electric shock, even if I am intimidated by cows. I was to learn this simple trick:
- Take a single blade of grass between your thumb and forefinger.
- Touch the other end of the grass blade to the hot wire (typically, there is only one fence wire that might be electrified. This is the hot wire. It will stand out from the others in some way. At Shakespear, it is forward from the fence.
- If you feel a very mild shock through the grass, the wire is live. Do NOT touch it with your hands or skin.
- My husband can confirm that the shock through the grass is mild and nothing like the pain of touching the hot wire with a hand or any bare skin.
The truth about the cows at Shakespear Regional Park
Shakespear Park is an award-winning Auckland region park found at the far end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, north of Auckland city. It is one of the Auckland Regional parks with a farming programme that includes both cows and sheep.
The truth is these are Hereford cows, a breed specially chosen for the park as they are generally ‘people-friendly’ animals, according to a posted sign. The suggestion is that if the animals approach you, simply continue on your way as they are usually just curious.
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Do you have a fear of cows? Would you climb the electric fence at the stile?
More about Shakespear Park you might like …
Wayne Morris
Ha, electric fence and cows. Growing up, 1950’s, on Ketron Island we had a few cattle and an electric fence, yes it hurt if you touched it. One cow did not care and would just back up a bit farther and charge through as I remember my Dad telling the story.
Moving on, I joined the CG in 1968 and went to school to be an electrician, retired 20 + years later.
Moving on a bit more, our daughter decided to get some goats. One was a nairobi I believe and he liked to jump the fence. So the standard electric fence went up with a 7,000 volt charger. Fine except the goat would jump up onto the fence post and be insulated. Awe, so an elevated ground wire was installed and all were instructed not to touch the fence as it was tested to over 7,000volts. Yea well son in law had been touching the electric fence all along and laughing at us because of his insulating boots. That day our Daughter explained to him one more time not to touch the fence. Well he grabbed the high ground wire and the hot wire and got the full hit, he will not forget it. The nairobi goat did the same thing and never tested the fence again. Success. Nice to know about the blade of grass.
Sarah
A friend of mine has cows and she had told me cattle can be quite dangerous and aggressive. She had some who were really quite mean. I had no idea until she told me this. She said they can just come at you or sometimes it will often start fairly innocently, they’ll walk up calmly and then they start being pushy and it escalates from there. So I think you were wise to be leery and got out when you saw a good opportunity to do so. As long as they didn’t come your way you’re generally safe but the minute they take interest I think I’d leave too. I’ve also heard that if there are calves in the field extra caution should be taken because they’re very protective of the babies.
Anne@GritandGiggles
She is probably thinking … What are you doing … don’t you know that thing zaps? Or maybe she is pondering whether you have food. She looks watchful but relaxed. You certainly know when they will go for you, they tend to pretty concentrated about it and usually running at you. That is unless they are my family’s cattle that run to you, only wanting to know if you have food .., secretly it is intimidating all the same. Lovely pics and I am all for more lambs.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – you are probably right on the thoughts, and thankfully I haven’t had them running at me – except for once.
bettyl - NZ
They are quite HUGE when you really look at them and I’m always wondering what’s going through their minds. Probably, ‘ chew, chew, swallow, chew, chew, swallow’ 🙂
Rhonda Albom
Yes, it probably is that simple, but it’s the huge part that always gets to me. Thankfully my kids are brave and generally protect me 🙂
Alissa Apel
If I found a spot to climb over like you did than that’s what I would have done. Otherwise I would have backed up, and went towards the way you came in to begin with.
Moo-ve-it.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – honestly, I frequently walk through the paddocks with the cows. Never alone and always with a member of my family who thinks my fear is ridiculous and agree to protect me from the scary cows.
Janie Junebug
I was told by someone who grew up on a dairy farm that cows only lie down when they are pregnant. The cow saw you and thought, Will she be my baby’s grandma?
Love,
Janie
Rhonda Albom
That is really interesting. I wonder if the cow in my photo is considered “sitting” as there are no bulls in the park, therefore no pregnant cows.
Travelera
Lol Great post and You made it! I didnt know The tip To check an electric fence, good ti know as i like To explore and these fences have stopped me a few times…
Xxx
Rhonda Albom
You will still get a mild shock through the grass, but it does’t hurt. Also, remember sometimes the electricity is intermittent, so be sure to hold your grass for a bit to be sure you get through the full cycle.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
Are you crazy Rhonda, climbing over that electric fence? What would happen if you fell into the fence. Ohhhhhhhhhh, I got electrified once by mistake and I’ll never go near anything electric that would touch me. Just the thought bothers me. I guess you made it safe and sound because you wrote your post but……..
I’m happy to say to you, have a living day my friend. Whoosh! See ya.
Cruisin Paul
Rhonda Albom
LOL – Apparently Joyce thinks I am crazy as that’s what cra, cra means in her comment. It is safe at the stile. There is a rubber insulator around the hot wire.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda .. love the photos – and that blade of grass tip is a good idea. I’d climb over the style .. unless the bull was chasing me – when I guess I’d just run and hurt myself … but I’d probably avoid the field in the first place.
We still get cows in the tiny lanes around farm land being moved to the farm for milking .. and boy when they pass the car they are big! Can’t do much – except let the cows take their course.
Beautiful cow … I guess it’d say: Rhonda and Hubby – all you really need to do is sit quietly and chew the cud in this beautiful countryside, warm winter sun … why walk around!
Cheers Hilary
Rhonda Albom
Don’t worry, there are no bulls in the park, and the Park Rangers will tell you these cows actually are safe. The only real danger comes from the fear. Cows are big, but apparently pretty harmless.
Carraol
Great images of this peaceful place, the cows looks more friendly than an electric fence.
Joyce
The cow thinks you are cra, cra.
Nancy
Quite the intrepid explorer you are!
Freda
Don’t think I will be checking fences anytime soon, lol, but thanks for the tip.
I LOVE the photo of miss bovine.
🙂
Olushka
Lovely pictures! Now I know how to check electic fence!
Thank you for sharing!
Hugs,
Olga
Kelleyn
Love his/her curly fur!
Jay @CraftySpices
OMG
I am sure this was a “FUN ” Experience, good thing you are resourceful and found a fast and “Safe” way to get out of there.
Have a nice week!
Comedy Plus
Cows and steers are harmless. Bulls are another story. Don’t mess with the bulls. Ever. Cows and steers don’t scare me one bit.
I’ve been shocked by an electric fence in my youth. It’s quite the jolt indeed.
Yes on the baby sheep and make sure you linked them to my Awww Mondays post.
Have a fabulous day Rhonda. ♥♥♥
Yolanda Renee
I grew up around cows, grandmother’s dairy farm, and they were harmless, the electric fence not so much. 🙂
The cows, not the bulls, cantankerous lot, stay away, far, far away!
Love the pictures, such beauty!
Yolanda Renee
I had to return especially after telling you cows were docile. Just had a guest blogger on my Murderous Imaginings blog and he wrote about the stats of death by animal. He even mentioned cows, and how an average of 20 people per year are killed by cows. Usually via a kick in the head. So new advice, stay away from the back of a cow, and if milking, be gentle. But if walking in the field, you’re generally safe! 🙂
Could not believe the stats, but yeah, they do have powerful hooves.
Teresa from NanaHood
My dad and grandfather had cattle. Didn’t mind the cows but the bulls, now that was a different matter!
Rhonda Albom
There are no bulls in Shakespear Park. I am not sure where the cows come from, but there are no bulls and never any babies.
Sara
What a fun post, and useful as well!
Lovely photos of beautiful hills… and a beautiful cow. I don’t know if she’s scary, but she surely looks big!
Eileen
I love the beautiful scenery and the cute cows. I do not think I would want to climb an electric fence or run from the cows. Lovely images, thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day!
Rhonda Albom
Never run from the cows. If you run they will chase you, otherwise they are mostly likely to ignore you. Not much more than a passing glance.
Linda Blatchford
You’re brave to climb over that fence. At least you knew how to test it. I don’t think I would have been there.
ladyfi
Cute shots! I think cows are peaceful. I did touch an electric fence once with my hand – man was it painful!
Tamar SB
Good tip to know about the fence test – the animals are gorgeous!
L. Diane Wolfe
Aw, she’s such a pretty cow.
When I was a teen, I dated a guy who lived on a farm. He took me into the cow pasture to see them up close. He failed to mention it was almost feeding time. Next thing I know, I am surrounded by eager cows. I should dig up that photo.
Rhonda Albom
My teen would say the same thing, pretty cow. And I guess she is, but she is so much bigger and stronger than I am. Your story would be enough to keep me out of paddocks for a long while.
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk)
There is a hill here where we usually visit for a walk as well and they have massive cows that are scary! My husband and son are okay with them but when they stare at me.. it gives me the creeps too! Luckily we dont have electric fence here so escape is easier.
Misha
Lucky you found a spot to safely climb over. 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh
No way I’ll risking certain body parts by climbing and electric fence.
Is there cow therapy? Maybe a special class where you are gradually introduced to the cows?
Rhonda Albom
Love your comment, totally made me laugh. However, that’s why I crossed at the stile, it is safe. The electric wire is isolated there, and I tested it with a blade of grass before climbing.
stevebethere
LOL had to laugh at you making a swift exit, did you shout out there must be some way out of here somewhere or udder I’m off you silly cows LOL
Have an udderlytastic day Rhonda 🙂
Rhonda Albom
LOL – great lines, wish I thought of either of them. Truth is I was too busy asking hubby if he was sure it was safe at the stile.