With regards to the cows, I believe it to be true as it keeps that patch of grass fry for them!
Heres another reason
Question: Why do cows sit on the ground when it’s about to rain?
Answer:
The only explanation I can think of is that cows know that the rain will
make the air cooler, and hence themselves cooler, and sit on the
ground to absorb it’s heat. They can also preserve their
own heat by laying on the ground, or standing in groups together
as horses do.
wildman jackson