Providing regular outdoor access could represent an enrichment for movement-restricted cows; however, the characteristics of the enrichment is likely to impact their motivation. Thus, our study addressed the question of how the outing experience provided (handling, duration and space) relates to the motivation of cows for an enrichment (here, increasing the opportunity for movement for movement-restricted animals). In a series of 3 trials (analysed independently), sixteen tiestall cows in winter (W) and summer (S), and fifteen in the fall (F) were provided with daily outdoor access in groups of 2 (W,S) or 3 (F) cows for 8 (W,S) or 5 (F) weeks. Go- out and go-in trips to and from the outdoor paddock were assessed for trip duration, cow locomotor behaviour, and for instances of attempts from cows to resist the handlers or to force their way forward. Differences between the duration of go-out and go-in trips were analysed using t-tests, while cows’ behaviours were analysed through LMr comparisons on PCA scores for each trial, with go-out and go-in as fixed factors. The same two dimensions were revealed for all three seasons: ‘Trip Speed’ (duration vs speed, caracoling and running) and ‘Stops Quality’ (resistance and balking vs free stops). These dimensions accounted for cow reactions to handling. LMr comparisons of cows’ scores on the two dimensions were also tested for outing conditions (time: 1h, 2h; and space provided: 20, 40, 60, 80 m²). Gaps between the go- out and the go-in trips speed differed between all three seasons. These, as well as the Trip Speed and Stop Quality dimensions scores, yielded three different motivation profiles which corresponded to the three trials: 1) “Outdoor enthusiasts” (Profile F) had increased travel times during go-ins (possibly indicating a lack of motivation to return indoors) and exhibited caracoling and running behaviors in the alleyway during go-outs, potentially expressing positive emotion. 2) “Mile a minute” cows (Profile W) showed similar quick travel speeds on go-outs and go-ins; 3) “Thwarted motivation” cows (Profile S) had longer go-out trips and expressed frustration through negative interactions with humans, which resulted in resistance and forced stops, to the point they were becoming dangerous to handle. Our results also showed greater speed on go-ins after 2h than after 1h, and more negative interactions with handlers with the smallest paddock. We concluded that the cows’ experience led to different motivation profiles, and that outing conditions impact motivation for enrichment, and therefore its effectiveness.