Happy Lines

Just as the skin of humans can give indications of the state of body and soul, Happy.

If horizontal to slightly diagonal stripes are visible halfway up the rib cage, these are called “feel-good stripes” or “happy lines”. These changes are more difficult to recognise in cattle with a curly coat than in cattle with a smooth coat.

If a cow has these feel-good stripes, this is a sign of good animal care, species-appropriate husbandry and ruminant- and performance-appropriate feeding. Unfortunately, science has not yet clearly clarified the causal relationships.