Community Corner
Soule: Is it Possible for Cows to Show Too Much Love?
Red, a Miles Smith Farm Scottish Highland steer, had to live with the horses for a while. He'd rather be with his bovine friends.
In 2022, icicles of blood dangled from the Scottish Highlander steer’s face, and raw patches of skin were exposed to the weather. He looked like he’d lost a bar fight. But 10-year-old Red was a victim of too much love.
Cattle often groom each other by licking. It’s a sign of affection and a request to be licked in return.
Brushing my cattle imitates licking.
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Curious Bleu, another Highlander steer, will lower his head in appreciation as I drag a stiff brush across his back or groom hard-to-reach places like his neck or tail dock. If cattle could purr, Bleu would hum his appreciation.
Red was a glutton for affection.
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He let another steer lick his face raw. When I realized what was going on, I moved Red to another field, out of reach of the steer's raspy tongue.
I put him in with the horses, Snap and Moose.
Carole Soule is the co-owner of Miles Smith Farm in Loudon, N.H. She raises and sells beef, pork, eggs, and other local products. She can be reached at carolesoule60@gmail.com.
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