Scenarios

Question 1

Behaviour of cow and calf after calving

Answer 1

Normal: Cow will be licking the calf to stimulate and clean it, lowing softly, protective but calm demeanor. When taking cow away will be loud bellowing, pacing, seeking the calf, reduced milk down due to stress
Calf: Standing and sucking within the first hour, soft vocalizing to communicate with dam. When taken away calf will be restless, loud vocalizations
Abnormal: Cow with head lowered, pawing the ground, charging or aggressive posture

Question 1

Cow suffering from laminitis

Answer 1

Normal: Relucted to move, lying down more, shifting weight from one foot to another, walking at the back of the herd, visible discomfort or pain when standing or walking, reduced feed intake due to pain.
Aggressive: Kicking, head tossing, attempts to avoid handling

Question 2

Bulls in mixed aged mob

Answer 2

Normal: Play fighting, dominance displays, establishing a pecking order
Aggressive: Aggression towards handler during breeding season, pawing the ground, head butting, bellowing, charging

Question 3

Leading a stallion past a paddock of mares

Answer 3

Normal: High alertness, prancing, vocalizations, moving towards the mare
Aggressive: Rearing, bitting, kicking, striking

Question 4

Introducing a new mare to a paddock with other mares

Answer 4

New mare normal: Curiosity, sniffing other mares, some initial anxiety or nervousness
Resident mare normal: Interest in the new mare, establishing dominance through body language (ear pinning, head tossing)
Aggressive: Kicking, bitting, chasing to establish hierarchy, high levels of stress in the new mare leading to flight response.