But, it is attractive if an animal is allowed to voluntarily approach it. A clip board or box placed in a field or pen will attract both cattle and horses. They'll approach, poke and sniff. But if the wind moves the paper, the animal quickly backs away. The most excitable, flighty cattle and horses are the ones that will be most attracted to a novel object in their environment, but they will be the first ones to run away if the object moves.
Excitable animals are more aware of their surroundings than calm, placid animals.
People working with cattle and horses will have an easier time training and working with them if they understand how genetic factors interact with experience. The basic principle is that animals with flighty, excitable genetics must be introduced more gradually to new things than an animal with a calm placid temperament. Temple Grandin is an assistant professor of livestock handling and behavior at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.