Cows and mutual grooming

ROBIN HALL

While all cows groom their calves, and sometimes calves groom their mothers, most of the grooming that goes on involves cows with no obvious connection to each other. It appears that the need for grooming transcends the rivalry within the hierarchy of the herd. There is certainly a complex social life with what appears to be rules and conventions about behaviour. Cows who wish to be groomed in those hard-to-reach places will present their head in a lowered, submissive, gesture. However, a similar gesture but with tension in the neck and face is a warning display of aggression. Although there is a coarse cow-brush fitted in the yard, cows still like to be groomed by others and it is lovely to watch these gentle animals care for each other in this way.