From the link provided:
"Very few Americans would say the herd were thirsty."
Actually, I would suspect if someone in North America used that phrase they would be regarded as a little strange.
I had no idea that "British" English has a different view on this subject. I guess I should have been suspicious based on their boots and lorries and such.
As to pingflood's comment:
"It's pretty sad when people don't have anything of value to add" , I wonder if he/she/it considers this post to be of value -
"True but he's still a troll."
Some eagles just flew by, so I'm off to do some photography!