Highland cow grooming may not be something you think about, but these shaggy cattle are surprisingly tidy animals. Like many cattle breeds, they’ve developed a range of grooming behaviours to stay clean, comfortable, and healthy—especially in rugged outdoor environments. In this post, we explore how Highland cows groom themselves, why it matters for their wellbeing, and what their grooming routines reveal about their intelligence and instincts.
Why Highland Cow Grooming Matters
In the unpredictable climates of Scotland and beyond, grooming isn’t just about appearance. For Highland cows, it plays a role in:
- Thermoregulation: Removing excess hair and dirt helps their thick coat function properly in all seasons.
- Social bonding: Grooming interactions with other cows (allogrooming) can reduce stress and establish herd hierarchy.
- Comfort and skin health: Removing dried mud, parasites, or plant debris prevents irritation and infection.
Farmers and wildlife researchers alike have observed that Highland cow grooming habits are surprisingly complex—and even a little endearing.
Highland Cow Grooming Methods
Despite not having hands or tools, Highland cows are well-equipped for self-care. Here are some of the ways they maintain their majestic coats:
1. Rubbing Against Trees and Rocks
One of the most common forms of grooming is rubbing. Highland cows will often rub their flanks, heads, or backs against rough surfaces like tree trunks, fence posts, or large stones. This helps remove shedding hair, dry skin, mud, and external parasites like ticks. In wilder grazing areas, farmers often notice distinct “cow rub spots” where trees have been polished smooth over time.
2. Using Their Horns and Hooves
Highland cows use their horns to scratch hard-to-reach areas—especially their sides and neck. Hooves are sometimes used to scratch behind the ears or along the legs. This behaviour isn’t just practical; it’s also a sign of good body awareness and problem-solving ability. If you’ve ever seen a Highland cow carefully angle its horn under its chin, you’re watching grooming intelligence in action.
3. Mud Bathing and Dust Rolling
Though it may look messy, wallowing in mud or dust is another form of self-grooming. Mud helps protect against biting insects and can cool the cow’s skin in summer. Dust rolling can remove old fur or surface parasites. It’s especially common in warmer weather or after rain, when the ground becomes ideal for wallows.
4. Licking and Cleaning Themselves
While not as limber as cats, Highland cows do lick themselves—particularly their flanks, shoulders, and lower legs. This helps remove debris or soothe irritation. In younger calves, self-licking often increases during seasonal coat shedding or during fly season when bites are more common.
5. Using Man-Made Grooming Brushes
Some modern farms provide spinning brushes or scratching posts for their herds. Highland cows absolutely love these enrichment tools, and will often line up to use them. These brushes can reduce stress, improve coat condition, and mimic the natural grooming behaviours seen in wild environments. You can see them in action in this Highland cows absolutely loving a grooming brush.
Grooming and Social Behaviour
Grooming isn’t always a solo activity. In Highland cow herds, you’ll often see pairs of cows grooming one another. This behaviour is known as allogrooming, and it plays a key role in:
- Reducing stress and anxiety within the herd
- Strengthening social bonds between familiar cows
- Reinforcing herd structure or rank
This social grooming typically focuses on the head and neck—areas cows can’t easily reach alone. It’s also a sign of mutual trust and calmness. In this way, Highland cow grooming isn’t just about hygiene—it’s also about emotional health and herd harmony.
What Grooming Tells Us About Highland Cow Intelligence
Observing grooming behaviour gives insight into the cognitive abilities of Highland cows. These cattle make decisions about how and where to groom based on season, environment, and their own comfort levels. Some even show signs of tactical grooming—like choosing specific spots that offer the best results or watching others use a grooming brush before trying it themselves.
Combined with their known ability to recognise herd members and communicate vocally, grooming adds to the evidence that Highland cows are far more intelligent than they appear.
How Farmers Support Natural Grooming
On well-managed farms, grooming is often supported by:
- Leaving natural rub surfaces (trees, rocks) in pastures
- Installing mechanical brushes or scratching frames
- Grooming cows manually when needed (e.g. for medical inspection)
- Allowing cows to groom socially without overcrowding
All of these measures help Highland cows express their natural behaviour—something many modern farmers take seriously. If you’d like to understand more about the care side of Highland cows, don’t miss Are Highland Cows Friendly?, which explains how temperament and wellbeing go hand in hand.
Do Highland Cows Need to Be Brushed?
While self-grooming goes a long way, many Highland cow owners ask whether brushing is necessary. In most cases, adult Highland cows manage just fine on their own—especially when kept in natural environments. However, brushing may be helpful for:
- Show animals that need pristine coats
- Older cows that struggle to groom
- Removing mats or burrs after a storm or field walk
Brushing can also be a bonding activity. Many cows enjoy gentle brushing on their back or sides—especially if they associate it with attention or feeding. Just be cautious around horns and always approach calmly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Highland Cow Grooming
Do Highland cows shed their coat?
Yes, Highland cows naturally shed parts of their coat depending on the season. In spring and early summer, you’ll often see clumps of long hair falling off or hanging loosely from their bodies. This shedding process helps them adapt to rising temperatures and prevents overheating. Grooming—whether rubbing, licking, or dust bathing—helps speed up this process.
Can Highland cows get skin conditions from poor grooming?
While Highland cows are hardy, they can still suffer from issues like rain rot, mites, or lice if grooming opportunities are limited. In muddy or overcrowded environments, the risk increases. That’s why many farmers ensure cows have clean, dry shelter and the ability to groom naturally or with enrichment tools like brushes.
Do all Highland cows enjoy being brushed by humans?
Not all cows react the same way. Some love it—especially if introduced early in life. Others may be shy or indifferent. It depends on the individual’s temperament and past experiences. Gentle brushing on the cow’s back, shoulder, or side is usually well tolerated if the cow is comfortable with human contact.
Do bulls groom themselves the same way?
Yes. Highland bulls groom similarly to cows—rubbing, scratching, and bathing. They may use trees or rocks more aggressively and are more likely to assert dominance around limited grooming spots. Bull grooming can also be a form of territory marking, especially in small pasture settings.
Seasonal Changes in Highland Cow Grooming
Highland cow grooming habits shift subtly throughout the year. In winter, they groom less actively as their thick coat protects them from cold and wind. In spring and summer, grooming increases due to shedding, insects, and heat. During fly season, cows may spend extra time licking, dust bathing, or using their horns to scratch fly bites.
Want to learn more about Highland cow anatomy and behaviour? Our post on Highland Cow Horns: Do They Serve a Purpose? dives deeper into how those famous horns do more than just look iconic—they’re essential tools for grooming, socialising, and defending.
Conclusion
Grooming in Highland cows is more than just a way to stay clean—it’s a reflection of their instincts, intelligence, and social life. Whether they’re rubbing on a tree, using their horns to scratch, or lining up at a spinning brush, these iconic cattle show that they know how to take care of themselves. Understanding Highland cow grooming not only reveals more about their needs, but deepens our appreciation for just how smart and sensitive these animals truly are.