Cutters often say the best horses seem to draw cows to them when they perform. But the term “cow sense” could take on a whole new meaning for the cutting horse industry, in light of a report in this week’s issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The report details findings of a team led by Hynek Burda of the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany suggesting that cows sense the earth’s magnetic field and use it to line up their bodies so they face either north or south when grazing or resting.

Magnetic bridle, anyone?

To check out the full story click here and read or listen to “Moo North: Cows Sense Earth’s Magnetism” from All Things Considered on NPR, Monday, August 25.