If there’s a cow at the bus stop – or better: walks past her. When Sonja Keller goes for a ride with her Melina, some motorists are amazed.
Ölbronn-Dürrn – If Melina has to go on the road, that means for Sonja Keller: Remember the job and work on it. Because the cow dung after a ride has to disappear from the sidewalk.
You read that correctly: The 22-year-old regularly rides a cow through Ölbronn-Dürrn near Pforzheim. Past the field, past the bus stop and the entrance sign: the nine-year-old Simmental trots leisurely with his rider on his back.
Melina is already nibbling in a front yard and refuses to look into the camera during the photo appointment. “When people ask me for tips, I always say: You have to be stubborn,” commented Keller. Most of the time, the cows would like to come along for a ride: “They’ll see something too.”
Keller has been riding her since she was two years old – as well as three other cows. She doesn’t use a real saddle. It wouldn’t stop because, unlike horses, cows don’t have proper withers. A soft pad and a couple of handles are sufficient.
Dozens of dairy cows live on Keller’s family’s Spatzenhof. As such, Melina is no longer in use. In addition to riding out, Keller also uses her animals for carriage rides – for example at weddings, parades and bachelorette parties.
The duo is also an attraction on their rides – even if there are several riders who have switched from horse to cattle. In Baden-Württemberg alone, she knows three women who harness cows to carriages, says Keller. Nevertheless, some drivers drive a wide berth around Melina at low speed. Once someone landed in the ditch from looking behind.
Motorcyclists and cyclists have already complained when the cow is holding up traffic or blocking the cycle path. And every now and then animal rights activists speak to her, says Keller. “They ask what it’s supposed to do.” According to the experts at the Federal Association of Cattle and Pigs, there should be nothing against riding cows from a health point of view. “The animals have always been used as draft animals,” explains a spokeswoman. However, due to their physique, they are not as agile as horses. “Cows definitely have the gaits step, trot and gallop too.”
There can be no talk of a gallop with Melina this morning. Strolling would be more likely. As a reward, there is fresh grass – or bread. “That’s enough for her.” Dpa
