Nora
The slaughter date was already agreed
In the neighborhood of a veterinarian, an older mare and a Limousin-Cattle were kept together on a pasture. Nora's rescuer told us that the horse broke out more and more often and also at night, together with the Cattle, ran around on the street. This was going too far, and an end had to be put to the hustle and bustle.
Nora's rescuer is herself active in animal welfare and did not want Nora to be slaughtered under any circumstances. A good forever home could be found for the horse, but no species-appropriate husbandry in cattle company could be offered for Nora. So the call for help came to Gut Aiderbichl, where Nora also found a nice new home at Moosfeldhof.
What did Nora learn from her horse friend?
Nora has been living in a large herd of cattle at Gut Aiderbichl for a few months. Christian Kögl, estate manager, says: "Nora is doing well. She has quickly made friends with her fellow cattle and leads a contented life. She is extremely people-oriented. This probably comes from the fact that she lived together with a horse on a pasture for three years. Nora has copied the horse's way of life...".
The taming of the wild horse was the beginning of the common history of man and animal. Within a very short time, a horse can decipher human emotions. They are very social snd highly sensitive. A horse is even able to distinguish and respond to human facial expressions. They themselves have seventeen different facial expression possibilities.
So there is a strong bond between horses and people. Certainly, the horse had human contact again and again in the pasture, and Nora learned over time what this meeting can mean: one is stroked, addressed by name, gets treats, etc.
Cattle are rather shy and think twice before approaching humans and letting them pet them. Nora has learned, because of her horse partner, that there are people who mean well with animals and has become amenable to petting. She feels no stress when a human approaches her and enjoys the closeness of all her mates and also Christian when he checks on her.
"...we find it difficult to leave Nora to the butcher..."
The promise of admission to Gut Aiderbichl was given, the veterinarian bought the cow free from the owner and sent her on her way to her new forever home. The appointment at the slaughterhouse could be cancelled. Nora is happy and looks forward to Christian coming to the pasture to check on her.
Horses love to sniff the human soul, but cattle like Nora also know humans quite well. Let's wish her a long, healthy life full of happiness and freedom in the pasture.
