When an association of animals ( or , by extension , people ) is described as a `` herd '' , that means that the group tends to act together ( for example , all moving in the same direction at a given time ) , but that this does not occur as a result of planning or co-ordination . When an association of animals ( or , by extension , people ) is described as a `` herd '' , the implication is that the group tends to act together ( for example , all moving in the same direction at a given time ) , but that this does not occur as a result of planning or co-ordination .