Cow tipping

When Kuhschubsen or pushing cows (English cow- tipping ) are sleeping or dozing domestic cattle are triggered in the standing that they may fall. This demo, in which it is cruelty to animals, is probably a modern myth: From the scientific side there are considerable doubts as to whether it is at all possible with the method technically to overturn an adult bovine animal. Aside from not sleeping cattle as alleged standing.

Expiration

The aim of the Kuhschubsens was to bring standing cattle by selective bumping to tilt to one side and falling over. Because - it is claimed - wake cattle show resistance against such attacks, should you choose sleeping in standing cattle as a target. This would neither attack foresee, can react fast enough to catch up.

Reality content

This principle is based on the consideration that the cattle body has a relatively high center of gravity and the legs have comparatively little stand width to support the weight of the side. In fact, at least in domestic cattle are stiff, assumed to be this idea: In order for the animal actually falls over, the focus must be moved vertically above the axis of the side facing away pair of legs out on the break. It is assumed that the friction is negligible, and the cow from sliding about on the substrate. A study by Margo Lily and Tracy Boechler from the University of British Columbia who was expecting a regular cuboid as model body and an assumed average mass of 682 kg ( derived from an adult Holstein cattle), came to the conclusion that depending on the containment of the animal ( hooves made ​​directly to each other, vertical leg stance or wider level ), the force of 3.00 adult humans during close status respectively 4.43 and 5.75 for vertical leg stance with wide level would be needed to upset an adult animal. They assumed that an adult can spend an average of 660 N and a total mass of - depending on the case - must be lifted 201-385 kg over the longitudinal axis, which corresponds to 1975-3777 N. This assumption is a relatively optimistic estimate: Other authors of about 300 N of force as a potential change, which an order of magnitude of 10 people would be needed to overturn the animal with a vertical leg position. The bovine body absorbs the reality on top of that by deforming a large part of the impact energy expended. Thus, a larger force would be necessary, as adopted by the lily and Boechler for its rigid body model. Problems would also cause the actual sleep behavior of cattle in practice. This is not about sleep, as claimed, in standing, but almost exclusively in lying. Standing cows doze at most and would therefore show resistance against such attacks.

The physical and biological properties of cows stand in stark contrast to narratives that tell of more effortless knocking over cows. Margo lily is known in his own words, only one case in which it managed a group of people, actually overturn a cow. However, they came not only to several at the withers, but also on the other side of the animal against the legs, which caused it to fall. This does not correspond to the described in the narratives typical procedure. Overall, considerable doubts about the often alleged popularity and widespread use of this practice arise.

Reception

As Modern Sage yet found Kuhschubsen entrance into popular culture. A titled with Cow Tipping episode of the cartoon series Beavis and Butt-Head (1994 ) devoted himself exclusively to this topic. Moreover, it is in comedies like Heathers (1989) and Tommy Boy - Through Thick and Thin (1995 ) or the animated films Barnyard and Cars ( both 2006) treated, and in the ninth episode of the seventh season of The Big Bang Theory ( 2013).

The English Guide The Official Cow - Tippers Handbook by Duke Rightious dedicated to the fictional history and other aspects of Kuhschubsens.

Similar ideas

A similar idea was already in ancient authors. Then Elche would sleep leaning against trees. The Germans would catch them by ansägten the trees, which would brought down the elk, as soon as he leans.