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would that I were young and athletic! The big stick I would carry would be of the pole vaulting variety which could send me flying merrily over their heads and hedges and ditches! Walk soft and stay safeI have had numerous encounters with livestock on caminos over the years. I don’t enjoy it, but I have more or less gotten used to it and have usually been able to forge ahead. But I have on occasion scrambled up sharp brambly hills or walked quickly through ankle-high mud to avoid them. One of the posts that helped calm my nerves was this one from @Farmer John
I am reading @Magwood’s wonderful Camino Torres blog, and see that I can expect to walk through several large ranches where the livestock ranges freely. On one day, Magwood and her group actually went under a wire fence to avoid a bull/steer/? that was planted in front of them on the path. As she noted in her blog, there was no assurance that they weren’t just going over to another ranch where more livestock were roaming around. But they made it!
I wonder if any forum members can tell me whether the bull pictured in the blog was likely one that required evasive action, or if walking on by would have been ok. I know what the big wild toros bravos look like, and I know that I will not encounter them on any camino path, but I would like to get a better sense of how to react to the male livestock that I will undoubtedly encounter.
And btw, Magwood’s Torres blog is excellent. And with the opening of the Geira (as described in jungleboy’s equally excellent retelling), the Torres is now a feeder into two different routes. When you get to Braga, you can decide whether to continue to the Caminho Portugues Central (merging in Ponte de Lima), or whether to continue from Braga on the Geira, which goes through some of Portugal’s most beautiful natural areas. But first you have to get through the livestock.
Buen camino, Laurie
Maybe, maybe not.....I have had numerous encounters with livestock on caminos over the years. I don’t enjoy it, but I have more or less gotten used to it and have usually been able to forge ahead. But I have on occasion scrambled up sharp brambly hills or walked quickly through ankle-high mud to avoid them. One of the posts that helped calm my nerves was this one from @Farmer John
I am reading @Magwood’s wonderful Camino Torres blog, and see that I can expect to walk through several large ranches where the livestock ranges freely. On one day, Magwood and her group actually went under a wire fence to avoid a bull/steer/? that was planted in front of them on the path. As she noted in her blog, there was no assurance that they weren’t just going over to another ranch where more livestock were roaming around. But they made it!
I wonder if any forum members can tell me whether the bull pictured in the blog was likely one that required evasive action, or if walking on by would have been ok. I know what the big toros bravos look like, and I know that I will not encounter them on any camino path, but I would like to get a better sense of how to react to the male livestock that I will undoubtedly encounter.
And btw, Magwood’s Torres blog is excellent. And with the opening of the Geira (as described in jungleboy’s equally excellent retelling), the Torres is now a feeder into two different routes. When you get to Braga, you can decide whether to continue to the Caminho Portugues Central (merging in Ponte de Lima), or whether to continue from Braga on the Geira, which goes through some of Portugal’s most beautiful natural areas. But first you have to get through the livestock.
Buen camino, Laurie
I always use photos of Henry the (actual) dog from the front, so as not to frighten those of a nervous disposition.I'm just glad a bulls undercarriages are in full view...no mistaking them for anything other than what they are.
Thanks, so here’s the question — if you came across that animal standing in your path, would you advance?Simply not possible to tell from the ‘photo.
Until you do!!!!! Walking off-camino from Pamplona to the Camino Aragon, we heard a lot of shouting in a small village followed by a bull trooping around the street corner being pursued by several townsfolk. It snorted, pawed the ground, and made a short charge at us, followed by another round of “chase the bull” by the locals. The second time around, he looked even more upset and I’m pretty sure my red backpack wasn’t helping!There is ZERO chance you will encounter a “toro bravo” walking through a field on any camino.
What does ”near a field boundary“ mean? And how would you pass it? I will not have a dog.On my own, near a field boundary? Yes.
With my dog? No chance.
Hi. Firstly I have to agree in relation to Magwood. Her Blogs are brilliant and she is so helpful if you ask her anything. Secondly and a bit off topic but my biggest issue isn't livestock but it's the amount of dogs. Recently I got bitten while out walking here at home and it's the psychological effect that's the worst. I walk everyday and will be walking the San Salvador next week but my peace and freedom have been taken from me. I also got attacked and just nipped on another occasion whilst walking Del Norte. It's frightening how much the psychological takes hold to a point where I almost freeze up with fear each day as I encounter many people walking there dogs.I have had numerous encounters with livestock on caminos over the years. I don’t enjoy it, but I have more or less gotten used to it and have usually been able to forge ahead. But I have on occasion scrambled up sharp brambly hills or walked quickly through ankle-high mud to avoid them. One of the posts that helped calm my nerves was this one from @Farmer John
I am reading @Magwood’s wonderful Camino Torres blog, and see that I can expect to walk through several large ranches where the livestock ranges freely. On one day, Magwood and her group actually went under a wire fence to avoid a bull/steer/? that was planted in front of them on the path. As she noted in her blog, there was no assurance that they weren’t just going over to another ranch where more livestock were roaming around. But they made it!
I wonder if any forum members can tell me whether the bull pictured in the blog was likely one that required evasive action, or if walking on by would have been ok. I know what the big toros bravos look like, and I know that I will not encounter them on any camino path, but I would like to get a better sense of how to react to the male livestock that I will undoubtedly encounter.
And btw, Magwood’s Torres blog is excellent. And with the opening of the Geira (as described in jungleboy’s equally excellent retelling), the Torres is now a feeder into two different routes. When you get to Braga, you can decide whether to continue to the Caminho Portugues Central (merging in Ponte de Lima), or whether to continue from Braga on the Geira, which goes through some of Portugal’s most beautiful natural areas. But first you have to get through the livestock.
Buen camino, Laurie
Just want to point out that this post and the whole discussion here is pure, unadulterated bull.I have had numerous encounters with livestock on caminos over the years. I don’t enjoy it, but I have more or less gotten used to it and have usually been able to forge ahead. But I have on occasion scrambled up sharp brambly hills or walked quickly through ankle-high mud to avoid them. One of the posts that helped calm my nerves was this one from @Farmer John
I am reading @Magwood’s wonderful Camino Torres blog, and see that I can expect to walk through several large ranches where the livestock ranges freely. On one day, Magwood and her group actually went under a wire fence to avoid a bull/steer/? that was planted in front of them on the path. As she noted in her blog, there was no assurance that they weren’t just going over to another ranch where more livestock were roaming around. But they made it!
I wonder if any forum members can tell me whether the bull pictured in the blog was likely one that required evasive action, or if walking on by would have been ok. I know what the big toros bravos look like, and I know that I will not encounter them on any camino path, but I would like to get a better sense of how to react to the male livestock that I will undoubtedly encounter.
And btw, Magwood’s Torres blog is excellent. And with the opening of the Geira (as described in jungleboy’s equally excellent retelling), the Torres is now a feeder into two different routes. When you get to Braga, you can decide whether to continue to the Caminho Portugues Central (merging in Ponte de Lima), or whether to continue from Braga on the Geira, which goes through some of Portugal’s most beautiful natural areas. But first you have to get through the livestock.
Buen camino, Laurie
Thanks, so here’s the question — if you came across that animal standing in your path, would you advance?
Haha! This thread explains a mystery! I checked the stats on my blog yesterday and was flummoxed by the number of hits that particular bull related post had received. And again this morning. Most peculiar I thought.I have had numerous encounters with livestock on caminos over the years. I don’t enjoy it, but I have more or less gotten used to it and have usually been able to forge ahead. But I have on occasion scrambled up sharp brambly hills or walked quickly through ankle-high mud to avoid them. One of the posts that helped calm my nerves was this one from @Farmer John
I am reading @Magwood’s wonderful Camino Torres blog, and see that I can expect to walk through several large ranches where the livestock ranges freely. On one day, Magwood and her group actually went under a wire fence to avoid a bull/steer/? that was planted in front of them on the path. As she noted in her blog, there was no assurance that they weren’t just going over to another ranch where more livestock were roaming around. But they made it!
I wonder if any forum members can tell me whether the bull pictured in the blog was likely one that required evasive action, or if walking on by would have been ok. I know what the big toros bravos look like, and I know that I will not encounter them on any camino path, but I would like to get a better sense of how to react to the male livestock that I will undoubtedly encounter.
And btw, Magwood’s Torres blog is excellent. And with the opening of the Geira (as described in jungleboy’s equally excellent retelling), the Torres is now a feeder into two different routes. When you get to Braga, you can decide whether to continue to the Caminho Portugues Central (merging in Ponte de Lima), or whether to continue from Braga on the Geira, which goes through some of Portugal’s most beautiful natural areas. But first you have to get through the livestock.
Buen camino, Laurie
Absolutely. Regard as dangerous any animal you don't personally know as friendly to yourself specifically. Especially one that weighs up to 10x more than you. Very easy to get broken bones.I wonder if any forum members can tell me whether the bull pictured in the blog was likely one that required evasive action.
Thank you for this, SeaHorrse, I had totally misread the blog. @Magwood, was the bull located on the path shown earlier that has fences on both sides?What I didn't read in the mentioned blog is what did the ladies do after they saw the bull was most likely lost. Should have called police, they are all locals, they already know who the unhappy owner is.
There is an Alert Cops incident category for Animal Abuse.Any bull loose on a camino path gets a call to the police from me.
I'd be more afraid of a moose than a bull!I came across a young bull moose on Mt Katahdin at the end of the Appalachian Trail. Nature was calling and, as I was about to meander behind a boulder, out of the woods came this hot to trot bull—did I mention it was rutting season?? He stood ten feet in front of me on the path and toyed with me for fifteen minutes: back and forth across the path. I couldn’t take one step forward or backwards or he moved towards me. When he finally decided to move on ( he sensed a female of his own species was nearby) I knew he left snickering, knowing he had scared the daylights right out of me. Thankfully that was all!
On the Portugues, there was a trail through a farm filled with meandering cows and one bull. They lined the path on both sides. Nature was calling again. This bull knew not to get in the way of a woman with a full bladder and he graciously (??) stepped aside. The females were not as kind, but I barreled through.
I have since learned never to let any male—animal or human—stand in my way when I’m on a mission! It may come back to bite me someday, but…. As US President Teddy Roosevelt once said,”Speak softly and carry a big stick,” I follow that advise closely!
Almost all of the herds had calves
I think they were so used to people walking and running through is that they didn’t bat an eyelid
We wouldn’t walk through so easily though if we’d had a dog
on one occasion we did see a bull but he was so busy munching the grass is that he didn’t even lift his head
We still hot footed it through the field though
Cattle on their own are more likely to feel threatened than an animal that is close to other cattle.
As a result I would tend to avoid walking between two groups of cattle or between a solitary animal and the rest of the herd or between a calf and its mother.
I would tend to be cautious around an animal that was on its own.
I would be especially alarmed if I encountered one in Spain!I'd be more afraid of a moose than a bull!
Very much worth reading again, gracias!Now that we have refreshed out strategies for livestock evasion, this is an great time to re-read A Bovine Incident - todo toro by @timr.
Oh don’t worry. The words “Laurie”, “bull”, and “blasé” will never appear in the same sentence.It's better not to trust a bull as a baseline strategy than to be blasé.
The only moose you will encounter in Spain is likely to be chocolate mousse.I'd be more afraid of a moose than a bull!
I'm with you, I'm also a farm girl - I dont trust them either. Even if they aren't aggressive just the sheer size difference can get you hurt.Grew up on a farm.
I don't trust bulls.
I'd not push it if he w.re in my path.
I'd walk around.
I was responding to this commentThe only moose you will encounter in Spain is likely to be chocolate mousse.
Oh! I managed to miss that post.I was responding to this comment
Yes, the bull was stranded on the path with a field on one side - can’t remember what was on the other side. I’m guessing that the poor creature would have much preferred to be back in his field. We saw no one that we could report it to but I think that Aurelio may have made a phone call at some point, or perhaps he and the cyclist discussed a strategy to alert someone. Tbh I felt really sorry for him, he looked very sad.Thank you for this, SeaHorrse, I had totally misread the blog. @Magwood, was the bull located on the path shown earlier that has fences on both sides?
Well, we had to, on the vdlP. After crossing what seemed liked kms of land full of cows, right at the end, near the gate, there was a calf and his mother. and we had to go in between. There was no other way. Neither moved. I remember shutting my eyes and thinking ‘that is it, we’re done for’Always take care and use common sense, if you feel uncomfortable find an alternative route. Never, ever get between a cow and its calf.
Thats why we were always discouraged from having too many pet calves - they then became 'forever cows', and had to be kept until they died naturally.I have been attending the Aotearoa New Zealand International Film Festival over the past week and this beautiful film was one of several highlights: https://www.nziff.co.nz/nziff-2022/auckland/when-the-cows-come-home/
"Your cows are living in the moment and they remind me to live in the moment."
Andrew Johnstone
I highly recommend this film if you get a chance to see it.
There is a trailer here: https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/when-the-cows-come-home-2022
This.Cattle can be curious creatures and you may turn and find a line of them quietly following you, they may well figure you are going to lead them to fresh pasture. Don't freak out, just keep moving and make sure you close the gate after you
my "treat" item in my pack is a small pair of folding binoculars. Apart from gazing at the tweety birds and distant bits of architecture, I found that down on the Plata they came in very handy for gazing at suspect animals afar off in fields I had to cross. Irrespective of what was swinging at their nether ends, if it had horns, I avoided itAt the suggestion of a forum memnber via PM,I want to make clear that the “toros bravos” (i.e., those bred for bullfighting) are heavily regulated, required to be confined, and too valuable to be wandering around on a camino path. If you have ever walked by a toro bravo farm (there are several on the Vdlp, for instance), you will see security cameras, heavy fences, and stern warnings to stay away. There is ZERO chance you will encounter a “toro bravo” walking through a field on any camino.
But for those of us who have no background with bull, other than the kind that is slung at many meetings I have attended in my day, we may not have the ability to make a good judgment about whether a particular bull/steer is too dangerous to walk past. That’s the guidance I’m hoping to get a bit more of here.
They just did, Laurie! LOLOh don’t worry. The words “Laurie”, “bull”, and “blasé” will never appear in the same sentence.
It all depends. Not all grazing land is bordered by fences. Some restrict the livestock movements by using cattle guards. That bull may have been exactly where he belonged and that fence was the border for neighboring property. Impossible to know if one's not a local. The section of the Frances just past San Juan de Ortega on the way to Ages one encounters loose livestock after crossing a cattle guard. No fences.Absolutely. Regard as dangerous any animal you don't personally know as friendly to yourself specifically. Especially one that weighs up to 10x more than you. Very easy to get broken bones.
What I didn't read in the mentioned blog is what did the ladies do after they saw the bull was most likely lost. Should have called police, they are all locals, they already know who the unhappy owner is.
Perhaps this may help.Needing a livestock refresher course
Thank you, @Kobe. Bovine body language is a mystery to most of us.The bull in the blog was an "interested" bull, head up, ears facing item of interest. Menacing bulls will lower their heads, pin their ears down or back and may snort/stomp.
Unless you're a townie! My mammy, may her days be blessed, was firmly of the conviction that if it had horns it was a bull and it was wise to leg it! Considering I was a Derry child and Derry was a cattle port in those days, it was wise to be alert. When herds were being driven through the town on their way to the docks, it was not uncommon for the horned ones to break free from the herd and go careering down side streets, scattering all before them like nine-pins! No one bothered to define which was cow or bullock, the bloody things were hell bent on mischief to the sound of slamming doors as the good folk dived into homes irrespective of who owned themI'm just glad a bulls undercarriages are in full view...no mistaking them for anything other than what they are.
Okay I don't live on a ranch or farm but the beef pictured looked like a steer to me. (Bulls have dangly bits.) I learned on our Camino Salvador and Primitivo to act like the herder, who has a stick that he/she waves. The cattle understand that and let you through.I have had numerous encounters with livestock on caminos over the years. I don’t enjoy it, but I have more or less gotten used to it and have usually been able to forge ahead. But I have on occasion scrambled up sharp brambly hills or walked quickly through ankle-high mud to avoid them. One of the posts that helped calm my nerves was this one from @Farmer John
I am reading @Magwood’s wonderful Camino Torres blog, and see that I can expect to walk through several large ranches where the livestock ranges freely. On one day, Magwood and her group actually went under a wire fence to avoid a bull/steer/? that was planted in front of them on the path. As she noted in her blog, there was no assurance that they weren’t just going over to another ranch where more livestock were roaming around. But they made it!
I wonder if any forum members can tell me whether the bull pictured in the blog was likely one that required evasive action, or if walking on by would have been ok. I know what the big toros bravos look like, and I know that I will not encounter them on any camino path, but I would like to get a better sense of how to react to the male livestock that I will undoubtedly encounter.
And btw, Magwood’s Torres blog is excellent. And with the opening of the Geira (as described in jungleboy’s equally excellent retelling), the Torres is now a feeder into two different routes. When you get to Braga, you can decide whether to continue to the Caminho Portugues Central (merging in Ponte de Lima), or whether to continue from Braga on the Geira, which goes through some of Portugal’s most beautiful natural areas. But first you have to get through the livestock.
Buen camino, Laurie
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