Highland Cattle

[vernonk]

Why don’t people who have Highland Cattle cut their hair from over their eyes so they can see? So cruel to keep their eyes covered surely

[Mamyalynne]

//The long fringe of hair known as the "dossan" shields the eyes against snow and driving rain, and helps prevent eye infections spread by insects. With such long coats and enormous, tapered horns (which point upwards on the cows and downwards on the bulls) these cattle have a magnificent, even fearsome, look about them. In fact, they are remarkably even tempered beasts.//

[Canary42]

I was amazed at your question so I Googled some images - you do appear to have a good point. Perhaps their other senses are more powerful so they aren't too affected. Not sure that I'd like to try cutting their hair anyway LOL.

[Canary42]

Thanks Mamya, that's good to know.

[Mamyalynne]

I didn't know the fringe had a name - great to learn.

[douglas9401]

We're painfully shy. :-)

[scorpiojo]

:)

[vernonk]

Douglas, that made me laugh out loud, thank you

[DTCwordfan]

'dossan' is gaelic for 'efffing weather'......

[Baldric]

http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/dossan

[douglas9401]

Much more at my Fringe show, Vernon.

[wolf63]

Vernon, your question made me laugh. Thanks.

They are lovely Coos, you can see that in Duggie's photo.

[mazie]

I didn't know that about their horns either.

[vernonk]

What’s the point in protecting their eyes from infection if they never get to use their eyes because they’re covered by their fringe?!

[douglas9401]

Thanks for the best answer, Vernon. :-)

[seekeerz]

They can actually see just as well as you and I .....many other animals, in particular dogs, have fringes which protect their eyes against weather, brambles etc and the same applies to them....their eyesight is unimpeded