In case you were planning to invest in a cow, this is a device that may come handy. While it is already known that cows appreciate jazz, it is increasingly believed in scientific circles that they also enjoy a good scratch.
A cow without access to massage equipment can sometimes be seen rubbing herself against fences, wires and often trees – often destroying them in the process. However, this bristly, swivelling, motorised apparatus makes the whole process much easier – it spins when a cow touches it, allowing the animal to reach places it couldn’t on its own.
This may seem like a joke, but cow massagers are actually mandatory in Denmark. The mechanical brushes are an update on the old fashioned hand-brushing and help ward off parasitic outbreaks, remove dead skin, improve blood circulation and reduce stress levels.
“The way I see a cow move under that brush goes way beyond just relieving that itch,” Temple Grandin, a researcher at Colorado State University, known for her work on farm animal behaviour, told The New York Times.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!