The spatial proximity of a grazing herbivore in relation to its group members is dependant on many factors, in particular, social attraction to peers, familiarity to group members and maintenance of personal space. In this study, a novel approach was used to investigate the social interactions between pairs of steers. The directed response of each individual towards the other animal was evaluated using vector methods. Nine pairs of familiar steers and nine pairs of unfamiliar steers were observed over a three week period. Each pair were enclosed in a 3 ha sub plot of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) dominant pastures and supplied with ad lib access to water. Contact between other pairs was restricted by a minimum 20 m buffer zone between sub plots. The distance between individuals and their movement vectors were quantified using visual observations. Vectors were assigned to the movement between pairs of steers and assessed for the quality of their relationship based on the distance maintained between pairs, the response in movement to each other and the familiarity of the pair. It was expected that unfamiliar pairs would maintain greater distances apart and be more responsive to the movement of their partner. Unfamiliar pairs kept greater distances apart (Familiar: (mean±s.e.) 11.1±1.79 m, Unfamiliar: 19.6±3.45 m, P<0.05) and showed greater levels of both moving towards each other (Familiar: 3.8±0.67%, Unfamiliar: 6.2±0.68%, P<0.05) and away from each other (Familiar: 6.0±1.24%, Unfamiliar: 11.3±2.00%, P<0.05). The average proximity between unfamiliar pairs decreased over time and was comparable with familiar pairs after four days (Day 2: Familiar: 8.4±2.82 m, Unfamiliar: 26.3±6.97 m, P<0.05; Day 3: Familiar: 7.9±1.36 m, Unfamiliar: 16.6±4.19 m, P<0.10). These results provide evidence that familiarity affects proximity between pairs of steers and influences their movement patterns, with familiarity being established four days post-introduction of unfamiliar animals.