Spring officially started on Sunday. And what better way to celebrate than with a cow dance? Farmer Hans Huijbers from Wintelre opened his stable doors and the cows jumped and danced exuberantly towards the blades of grass.
When the barn doors open, the ladies run outside. Farmer Hans looks on with satisfaction. “Great to see them dancing and jumping like that.”
Hans has about 100 cows on his Hoeve de Nachtegaal. They have been stabled since October. “Only in November when the weather was very nice did they go outside a few times. So I can understand that they are happy to be able to go back into the meadow. Just like people, they realize that it will be spring again when they get out into the sun feel their bubble.”
There are dozens of people along the side watching the cow dance. Jan Kolsters is there with his two daughters. “Every year we go and have a look. The cows were visibly looking forward to it.” Marga van Aaken also watches with enthusiasm. “It’s great that they’re outside again and that they have the freedom again. It’s just great to see them so happy!” The sisters Kiara and Zoë know why the cows are so happy. “Because they can go outside and because they can eat grass.”
After fifteen minutes of running and jumping, the cows calm down again. Hans: “Now they are used to the meadow again and they are going to graze. They act crazy for a while and then they do what cows normally do again: eat grass. When you see those animals enjoying the first day outside again in the sun, that is wonderful. This is the most beautiful day of the year.”