Bunch of bovines

We were meeting Rolando and his wife Maritza in Santa Maria this morning (the couple we met at Albarito's birthday party two weeks ago), and as we reached the top of our driveway, we were greeted by 6 cows, all standing on the other side of the wooden gate. We had been told to make sure to keep our gate closed because, on occasion, cows roam and find their way onto the property. Every time we leave, I get out of the SUV, open the gate, Kevin drives through and I close it. And again upon our return (and, can I just say it's usually raining!) We've never seen roaming cows in our area, so I was beginning to think this was a tedious exercise — why bother. Yesterday, I left the gate open for about an hour after coming back from school because I knew we would be going straight out again. Well, this morning, I realized cows not only roam, they sometimes do roam near our place! I guess I won't be so cavalier and will dutifully continue with the gate-closing chore. Anyway, I got out, and literally 'shooed' them away, waving my arms in the air like a lunatic. I don't know, what does one do to get cows moving? I'm a suburban girl, this particular situation has never cropped up before. And although docile and quite lovely, cows are friggin' big and they have horns, too!! As I approached the gate, they started to back away and scatter down the hill. They left a few parting gifts, which I was very careful not to step in. God bless country living.