Every year in Tyrol some 180,000 horses, sheep, steers and goats spend their summer on more than 2,600 lush alpine pastures
Not only humans go on summer holidays, but also animals need a break... for this reason every year some 180,000 sheep, steers, horses and goats spend their summer vacation on the alpine pastures of Tyrol. Lorries take the cattle to their summer quarters. If the cattle would stay down in the valley during summer, alpine pastures would become overgrown and farmers also had to buy additional food. Every day, a cow grazes some 100 sqm, what is also beneficial for the pastures.
Towards the end of summer, of course also the cattle would like to return into their stables. On this occasion cows are lushly decorated with flowers and garlands as well as bells (in the picture the cattle drive in the Alpbachtal valley). In the valley the farmers prepare traditional delicacies. Of course there is also music and entertainment and everyone celebrates and waits for the cattle returning from the alpine pastures. Often this is also the day when the sheep are clipped.
