This week Louise and Michelle are joined by Emma Stuart, farm animal vet, ultra runner, dog owner, and the woman behind @the_running_vet on Instagram. Emma spends her days working with cattle and her weekends running big miles through fields full of them, so she's the perfect person to answer the question every runner and dog walker has thought at some point: what do I actually do when I'm surrounded by cows? Emma breaks down the psychology of cattle behaviour — why most "aggressive" cows are actually just curious youngsters, why running through a field is the worst thing you can do, and the one situation where you should never hesitate to move fast. She also talks through how to read a herd, when to let your dog off the lead (and when absolutely not to), the difference between dairy and beef cattle, and shares a genuinely hair-raising story or two from her own running and farming life. If you've ever stood at a gate with your heart in your mouth, wondering whether to walk on or turn back, this episode is for you. Meet Emma Emma is a farm animal vet based in the Lake District, an ultra runner of 7–8 years, and owner of two collies, Moss and Skye, the latter a rescue with a remarkable turnaround story. She swapped small animal practice for farm work because she couldn't bear seeing pets frightened of her, and found she loved working with cattle instead. Why cows aren't actually out to get you Most of the cattle runners and walkers encounter in fields are young, curious animals rather than aggressive ones. Emma explains that a lot of "intimidating" behaviour is simply cattle investigating something new — which is exactly why a 600kg animal jogging over to say hello can still feel (and be) dangerous. The one group to genuinely watch for Cows with very young calves are the exception. These mothers can be properly protective, and the golden rule is simple: never put yourself between a cow and her calf, even if it means a long detour. Why running through a field is the worst move Cattle see fast movement far more easily than slow movement. Running through a field is more likely to draw a herd's attention and get them chasing — not out of aggression, but because a good sprint looks like the most exciting thing that's happened to them all day. Walking slowly and steadily is always the safer option. What to do if they do come for you Stop. Turn. Make yourself big. Shout. Emma's advice runs counter to instinct — most people want to get away as fast as possible — but standing your ground and making noise is what actually gets a herd to back off. The exception: if it's a single aggressive cow with a calf, that's the one time to run. Dogs change everything A dog on a lead, walked calmly and kept close, is far safer around cattle than one running loose and panicking — loose, frightened dogs can send a herd scattering unpredictably. Whether to let a dog off the lead depends entirely on knowing how that individual dog will react; Emma's two dogs behave completely differently in the same situation. Reading the herd A cow chewing the cud is a relaxed cow. It's one of the simplest, most reliable signs that a herd isn't bothered by you at all. Dairy vs beef, and the bulls to actually worry about Dairy cattle are used to people daily and are generally unbothered. Beef cattle with calves are the ones to be more cautious around. Dairy bulls are the one class of animal Emma is genuinely wary of, and the reason they're legally not allowed on public footpaths. Bonus: horses Even a vet and farm animal expert admits horses are a different story entirely: a topic for a future episode. Follow Emma on Instagram
