Texas Icon: The Long Horn
The Texas Longhorn is an American breed of beef cattle, characterized by its long horns, which can span more than 8 ft (2.4 m) from tip to tip.
It derives from cattle brought from the Iberian Peninsula to the Americas by Spanish conquistadors from the time of the Second Voyage of Christopher Columbus until about 1512.
The first cattle were landed in 1493 on the Caribbean islands to provide food for the colonists.
Over the next two centuries, the Spaniards used the cattle in Mexico and gradually moved them north to accompany their expanding settlements. The Spaniards reached the area that became known as “Texas” near the end of the 17th century.
Eventually, some cattle escaped or were turned loose on the open range, where they remained mostly feral for the next two centuries. Over several generations, descendants of these cattle developed to have high feed- and drought-stress tolerances and other “hardy” characteristics that have given Longhorns their reputation as livestock.
The Texas Longhorn stock slowly dwindled, but in 1927, the breed was saved from near extinction by enthusiasts from the United States Forest Service. The breed also received significant attention after a Texas Longhorn was adopted as the mascot of The University of Texas at Austin in 1917. The animal’s image became commonly associated with the school’s sports teams, known as the Texas Longhorns.
A few years later, small herds were kept in Texas state parks. The Longhorns were cared for largely as curiosities, but the stock’s longevity, resistance to disease, and ability to thrive on marginal pastures resulted in a revival of the breed as beef stock and for their link to Texas history.
In the 21st century, Texas Longhorns from elite bloodlines can sell for $40,000 or more at auction.
The coat of the long horn can be of any color or mix of colors; in some 40% of the cattle it is some shade of red, often a light red.Other colors include variations of black, blue, brown, cream, dun, grey, yellow or white.
The Longhorn was traditionally reared for beef.In the 21st century it is considered part of the cultural heritage of Texas.it is the official large mammal of the state.
It may be kept for conservation reasons, or bred for greater horn length. It is occasionally used for steer riding.
The Fort Worth Herd features the world’s only twice-daily longhorn cattle drive, occurring at 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM on East Exchange Avenue in the historic Stockyards. These free, 10-minute, educational displays feature real drovers in authentic 19th-century attire leading Texas longhorns.
Destination: Texas
