Highland Stables

[Celticdog]

I'm very sorry to report....one of the moo cows Rose has died. I don't know any details and I'm sure the park won't release anything. But I hope they get another one as Thistle seems lonely.

Edit: Added moo cows name.

A trainer told me the same thing on Sunday, when I inquired about the missing Highland Cow. Unfortunately, I didn't ask why Rose had died. She also said they are keeping some sheep and goats in with Thistle to keep her from getting too lonely. She did not elaborate on any future replacement.

 

[Nicole]

We did ask about Rose, and were told it happened very quickly, but got no other information. In addition, we were told that no decision had been made about getting a second cow. When I pointed out that Thistle seems afraid of the sheep, we were told that Friday they put an aggressive sheep in with her, but that she would adjust.

I have no idea how much the guy in the stables actually knew. So, take that reporting with a grain of salt.

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

2016 takes another victim.

 

[Zimmy]

why on Earth would they put an aggressive sheep in with a mourning cow? How aggressive can a sheep get???

 

[Luke]

I would be depressed and livid if I were that moo cow.

 

[BGW Family]

In my experience, horses are usually afraid of sheep. Like horses, I would imagine cattle have to develop acceptance of new livestock they may have never seen before. I wonder how segregated the livestock is at the park? As far as aggressive sheep, perhaps males are called "rams" for a reason? I think goats tend to be much more aggressive than sheep. Unless they are of the fainting variety. Funniness aside, they should not randomly place livestock together, thinking it will alleviate loss of a same-species companion. There is a good husbandry program next door at Colonial Williamsburg where they could always ask for advice.

 

[Nicole]

We actually watched the cow butt heads with the goat and run from the sheep. I had to walk away at that point.

 

[Thomas]

I say we call for the desegregation of the stables.

 

[BGW Family]

We actually watched the cow butt heads with the goat and run from the sheep.  I had to walk away at that point.

Certainly doesn't sound like comforting companionship. Perhaps Thistle would be better off alone. Highland Cattle usually handle stress well as they are a hardy breed. I wonder if handlers observed some form of grief and loneliness, or just assumed via human emotion and put other livestock in there?

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

Animals can be very territorial and mean. I know a few cats that are absolutely horrendous to other animals.

 

[Nicole]

I will say that she was yelling/calling (?) a lot on both Friday and Sunday, when we were in the area. We could hear her from the stables, and it sounded really unhappy. Of course, I am not an expert on bovine vocalizations.

 

[Zimmy]

she misses her friend. They are social animals.

 

[JUmelSA]

every animal is social

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

That's an extremely wide brush you got there. I don't really know where to start deconstructing that statement. I'll throw you a bone in that animals that can't reproduce asexually have to be social in a sense that courting and mating could, very loosely, be considered social behavior. That's it in regards to "all animals".

There are thousands of different species out there that are solitary in nature. You'll even find a few examples at BGW. The python spends most of its life in solitude. The same thing goes with the park's serval. There are lots of animals in nature that defend their territory from others in the same species because it benefits the animal to live in solitude.

You also should not look at livestock and assume that social dynamic you see there is standard for all animals that are considered properly social. We've bred them over millions of years (6000 if you are reading this in Virginia Beach) to rely on humans and to perform certain tasks when we made them to.

 

[Merboy]

There are thousands of different species out there that are solitary in nature.  You'll even find a few examples at BGW.  The python spends most of its life in solitude.  The same thing goes with the park's serval.  There are lots of animals in nature that defend their territory from others in the same species because it benefits the animal to live in solitude.  

I like to think I'm a good example of this.

 

[horsesboy]

I will say that she was yelling/calling (?) a lot on both Friday and Sunday, when we were in the area.  We could hear her from the stables, and it sounded really unhappy.  Of course, I am not an expert on bovine vocalizations.

I would add that depending on how recent the loss is that she might have been calling for her lost friend. Last year I loss my old Thoroughbred for at least the first week every time I showed up at the barn my other horse ran up to the gate and started screaming expecting that I was bringing him back. If this was her first time in that pen since the loss it might have had the same type of effect.

 

[Merboy]

This is the saddest thread in the whole world.

 

[Thomas]

 

[Ghost of Pretzel Kaiser]

That pic is too much. I'm reporting it.

 

[PrincessArlenasDad]

I always thought that cows looked sad, regardless.

Maybe I'm just projecting.

Hopefully, the three of them can work things out and enjoy being with each other. Sometimes, animals need time to get to know each other, and then get along great.

Either way, it looks like we'll be able to enjoy a new Three's Company