Can cow tipping actually occur or is this an urban legend?

Answer 1

It probably started as an urban legend but it is no doubt something that people have tried after hearing it.

There are some major problems with the concept:

1 - a cow does not sleep standing up,

2 - a cow is perfectly capable of lying down and standing up on its own accord,

3 - it's practically impossible for one person alone to topple a half-ton quadruped, even if it doesn't immediately try to steady itself. You'd have to take it by surprise with two to four people, which is problematic because;

4 - it is hard to sneak up on a cow due to its senses of smell and hearing, it will know it is being approached.

So, if two people crept up by a cow, and gave it a hefty push, they might be able to overbalance it. The end result, it will stand up again and possibly retaliate.