Like I said Ive never personally had any issues with cows, but certainly err on the side of caution, yes.
I think those experienced walkers that have had bad experiences have been very unlucky, it can happen certainly. I am always confisdent however I do enter cattle fields scanning for possible problems and thinking about quick escape routes.
Unlucky you can be and there's no accounting for those instances, like when my consultant told me to get a bike to help with fitness rasther than keep loading my knees too much. Brand new bike, £1,000 out my pocket. Not been on a bike for 30+ years. Third ride a circular of 30 miles. On way back going round a roundabout at the end of a dual carraigeway, one car approaching. i'm just a few metres from the start of the seperate cycle path. The car approaching the roundabout slowed but never actually stopped instead just as I'm about to pass its front, it accelerates, knocking me and my bike flying. To his credit the driver addmitted responsibilty. I sold the bike a few weeks later. All the reading of the Cycle Craft book, the wearing of high viz jacket, concentrating on roundabout procedure and correct positioning had come to nothing - yes, you can do all the right things but just be unlucky!