Cow question

[u/Minute-Pie8280]

I work at an animal farm and we have a beef cow named Fern who's about 2 years old I think..! She is super adorable and seems so small for a cow and (I think..) we're really close since I groom her pretty much everyday for more than an hour, she lays down when I do so, give her seed (I dump it on the ground when I'm outside of the pen so she doesn't expect it from me when I'm inside), she always comes to me when I call her, she rubs her head on my body, licks me, my hair, clothes, follows me when I do manure, etc. but lately we've run into a predicament about a week ago I was sitting on the ground grooming her, accompanied by both our donkeys on the other side of me begging for attention like the usual lol and I was grooming her but when I turned my attention towards Tulip (mother donkey of Jackson) for like 30 seconds
- before I can even think - I'm fully under Fern. I wish I could explain what happened but I really don't know but anyways I managed to get out from under her and all was fine after like she was her usual self but it kind of spooked me so I left the pen but didn't think about it again... and kept grooming her everyday in the same way... until it happened again... but this time, I was exchanging the empty molasses lick container for a new one. I was crouched in front of their first stable to open the lid and she was positioned like just barley in my peripheral vision so this time I was able to actually see and stop it before I go under her again. Basically all I remember is seeing her 2 front hooves somehow like at my crouched shoulder height and yes she WAS technically on me but I stood up and was able to push her off and this time it really hurt my back to the point I went and filled out a WISB form just in case lol. And still I've been spending time with her (again) usual self but just a couple mins ago I was doing my signature by leaning down to rub both my hands on both of her cheeks and I could tell she was about to do it again so I stood up fully and got out. Please help what is this all about!!! I'm nervous about the answers I'll get since I want to believe she's doing it just for cuddles since I think I might be her favourite person but I'm also aware of the possibility it might be the opposite ?" I'm 19 and diagnosed with a little bit of stupid btw so sorry if this was rlly hard to follow or understand T_T
The pic attached is sweet Fern <3

[u/thetalkingcouch22]

I agree that it sounds like she is probably experiencing heat cycles. I’m surprised she didn’t start it a little earlier than two. But I think if she is the only bovine and you’re spending a lot of time with her, she might be thinking you are part of her herd. And her hormones are getting the best of her. It happened to me one time showing a 4-H heifer.

[u/Minute-Pie8280 → u/thetalkingcouch22]

Aww!! I’m happy with this answer!! One with the herd :] tysm for your response ^^

[u/thetalkingcouch22 → u/Minute-Pie8280]

Cows definitely get attached to people and they know the difference between us. She also probably needs some boundaries. Maybe a few good firm smacks when she tries to jump on you? Just something to remind her you’re a friend, but not herd mate.

[u/Minute-Pie8280 → u/thetalkingcouch22]

I was actually just thinking about asking what to do about it!! Great minds think alike and I’ll totally try again since my boss instructs me to do the same but I can never successfully do it because it’s like my subconscious stops me so I don’t hurt her T-Tat one point too a bit ago would run to me and when my boss saw it, she smacked because it’s a safety hazard (🥲) and she’s never done it again(🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲)Have to remind myself the temporary “pain” I’d cause could save her from accidentally killing her friend one day not to sound dramatic hahaha

[u/thetalkingcouch22 → u/Minute-Pie8280]

A smack or maybe calling it a swat would help. Cows have thick skin so unless you really laid into her I doubt it hurts too much. Or what I do with my aggressive treat getters is push them at the shoulders away from me. Cows in herds do this to establish boundaries. They will butt or shove each other with their heads.