New urban landscapes Brindled cows once lazed and grazed beneath these oaks. Here, spotted cows on a green pasture were regarded as a pleasure to behold. Far more so than horses. She’s an equestrian, so she doesn’t understand that. Hedgerows do, of course, fit better than electrified fences in an idyllic rural landscape. But horses need exercise and should be outdoors on a regular basis. Horses live in herds, led by mares, who do not always tolerate newcomers. Electrified fences marked with white ribbons were erected to prevent the horses from breaking out. Riding is very popular here. Oldenburg horses are a well-respected breed. There is also a horse hotel on the edge of Bloherfelde. “City folk want to eat well and enjoy themselves. Nowadays, our landscape is set up to cater for their needs,” says her mother. She points to some large oaks that belonged to hedgerows on what used to be adjacent fields. In the past sixty years a densely planted garden behind one of the houses has grown into a small wood. Such developments are contributing to the formation of new urban landscapes.