🐮 What I Didn't Expect When the Mini-Cows Arrived

So…I bought mini-cows.

I’ve worked with livestock my whole life—horses, sheep, a little bit of cattle—but mini-Highland cows were new territory for me. My husband has more experience with cows than I do, though nowadays, he’s mostly the support crew and sounding board. He’s the one who gifted me these cows, and he’s let me take the lead—quietly encouraging me while letting me make mistakes, learn, and grow.

What first drew me to mini-Highland cattle was their presence. I saw photos of them online and was immediately taken with their look—the long coats, the calm expressions, those iconic forelocks. But more than their appearance, I was drawn to their energy. There’s something inherently peaceful and almost gentle about them. I wanted to be around that energy. I wanted to learn more.

And so, we jumped in. We purchased our first two mini-Highlands—both of whom were pregnant—and just like that, the adventure began.

Except… I didn’t exactly have land ready for them.

When the Mini-Highlands Come Before the Land

We were still in the process of securing our own property when we committed to the cows. That meant I had to move quickly to find somewhere temporary but safe—somewhere I could get to know them and prepare for calving. We had feed, water, and supplies lined up, but the land itself? That part was still a work in progress.

Looking back, it was a bit chaotic, but it came together. The stress was real, but so was the excitement. I’d never worked closely with cows before, and I knew I’d be learning from the ground up. I had to trust the process—and the cows—to guide me.

A Gentle Arrival

Right after getting off the trailer from Texas.

They came all the way from Texas, and I’ll never forget the day they arrived. The breeders hauled them across states in a small stock trailer, just big enough for the two of them. When they stepped off the trailer, they were alert, tired, but calm. They headed straight for the water trough, had something to eat, and within a short time, they were lying down, seemingly content.

I was amazed by how easily they settled in. Given the long journey and the fact that both were pregnant, I had braced myself for stress or nerves. But they handled the transition with grace. That was my first real lesson from them: don’t underestimate their resilience.

What Caught Me Off Guard

Despite my years around animals, there were things I didn’t expect—realities that don’t always make it into the romantic farm photos online.

1. Cows are very different from horses.

I’ve spent most of my life working with horses, and while that knowledge has served me well, cows have their own rhythms. They move differently, communicate differently, and they definitely don’t share a horse’s sense of orderliness—especially when it comes to food and cleanliness.

2. They don’t have bathroom manners.

Cows are not picky about where they go—feed, bedding, water… it’s all fair game. We hand-pick manure daily to keep things clean and reduce flies and parasites. It’s a lot of work, and even though they’re smaller than standard cattle, their output is not.

3. They are incredibly sweet.

Even though I’d seen people cuddling cows on social media, I didn’t fully grasp how affectionate and curious they can be. One of our girls comes to me for cookies and companionship. She’s gentle, smart, and genuinely seeks out connection. That bond, especially with an animal I didn’t grow up handling, has been one of the most meaningful parts of this journey so far.

Oh—and one more thing I didn’t expect? They can jump. Really well. So if you’re preparing a space for mini-Highland cows, don’t assume that a low fence will be enough.

A New Perspective

This experience has shifted the way I view farming and animal care. It’s one thing to admire livestock from afar—it’s another thing entirely to care for them daily and to be responsible for their health, safety, and emotional well-being.

In Southern California, especially, this means more than just feeding hay. Our land doesn’t produce enough year-round grazing without irrigation, so everything from feeding to mineral balancing to herd dynamics is something we have to be intentional about.

When you’re raising cows—especially if you plan to breed and sell calves—you have to be hands-on. You have to learn their personalities, understand which cows produce calm, family-ready calves, and you have to handle them daily so that their future families receive animals who are gentle, social, and confident.

What I’ve Grown to Love

The thing I didn’t expect to love this much is just being with them.

They have a quiet, grounding energy. Being around them slows me down and helps me be more present. I love feeding them, observing their behaviors, watching them interact with each other. I love learning from them and with them.

And yes—I’d absolutely do it again. In fact, we are. We’re growing the herd, keeping our heifers, and welcoming new mini-Highland cows into the family. This is just the beginning.

For the Next New Cow Parent

If you’re thinking about getting mini-Highland cattle—especially if it’s your first time—here’s my honest advice:

• Secure your setup first. Have your land, fencing, and shelter ready before they arrive.

• Build fences higher than you think you need. Mini-Highland cows may be small, but they’re athletic.

• Prepare to show up every day. These animals require care, attention, and a real commitment to doing right by them. But they’ll reward you tenfold.

This journey has been full of surprises, learning curves, and beautiful moments—and we’re just getting started.

We're adding more to our herd. We’re raising quality calves. We’re learning every day. And we’ll be sharing more here on the blog as we go—what we learn, what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between.

So if you're curious, dreaming of cows yourself, or just love a good story from the pasture… follow along. There’s a lot more to come.

—From our little highlands to yours,

Luckley’s Little Highlands