Getting back to the cow psychology part of this conversation. Ever wonder how a cow knows what you are thinking or planning on doing. I think that they are a lot better at reading our body language than we are at reading theirs. A cow in her natural state is a very lazy animal. They have to be taught how to chase quietly and slowly. They aren't born with this knowledge. I've spent hundreds of hours holding new cattle in the corner of a field and then slowly teaching them how to chase. It's a hoot and it's fun when you see them settle right down and start to respond. Also reducing the distance between you and them and building trust. I think it comes right down to a mutual respect thing. A very wise cattleman told me years ago that if you ever have to take your horse out of a trot when you are moving cattle , you are doing something wrong, not the cattle, you. I believe this is true. If you have to go ripping across a field after a cow, then that tells you that this cow was never properly trained in how to chase to begin with. In her natural state, she isn't going to go running across a field for no reason. Every situation is different ,though, and I've also had to rope a lot of snot blowing cows that were mishandled by their owners.
