Why do Texas Longhorns have long horns?
Longhorns have long horns. Have you ever wondered WHY? If so, you are not alone.
Generally, animals have horns to defend themselves against predators, to compete for breeding mates and to display their dominance in a group.
This reasoning does not seem to be relevant to Texas Longhorns. After all, Texas Longhorn cattle are domesticated. However, if we go back in history, evidence suggests otherwise. In fact, the Texas Longhorn Cattle breed as we know it today, is a result of the process of natural selection.
The Natural Selection of Texas Longhorn cattle.
To explain, it would appear that the Texas Longhorn breed is a direct descendant of the first cattle in the New World. These ancestral cattle arrived with Columbus in 1493. They originally came from the Canary Islands. Over the centuries Texas Longhorns wandered the ranges freely without the constraints of fences. Most eventually became feral. Like all animals in the wild, only the strongest survived. ( More on the History of the Texas Longhorn Cattle here )
Texas Longhorns have long horns for DEFENSE
Back in the day, Longhorns certainly used their horns to ward off predators like mountain lions, coyotes and bears. Today things have not changed much. Under threat, Texas Longhorns will generally not hesitate to use their horns to defend themselves and to defend their calves.
- Perhaps the biggest threat we have in Central Texas is coyotes and feral dogs. We hear coyotes often here at GVRlonghorns. Actually we have coyote serenade almost every night but we rarely see them. We are pretty certain that our Texas Longhorn herd keep the coyotes at bay. Other than an attack on a cow birthing during the extreme arctic blast of February 2021, our longhorns have not ever been attacked by coyotes and nor have their calves. Incidentally, many of our ranching neighbors have lost calves to feral dogs and coyotes.
- There are other threats too, rattlesnakes, skunks…….
- Longhorns are great mothers and will protect their calves against danger. That includes the threat of humans. That is why we have written about safety with longhorns and highlights 7 essential tips .
Texas Longhorns have horns for BREEDING
Many wild animals use their horns to establish dominance in a group. The biggest and strongest male gets to breed with the females. In the past, Texas Longhorns would surely have followed a similar path in order to survive. After all, its the assumption underlying natural selection.
Interestingly, both female and male longhorns have horns. Texas Longhorn bulls with the ability to breed, generally have shorter horns than their female counterparts.
These days, there are many Texas Longhorn Cattle Breeders who select longhorns based on the length of their horns as well as genetics with the potential to develop wide horn growth.
STATUS and Texas Longhorns’ long horns.
In our herd, we have observed that age predetermines status. In other words, the older longhorn cows seem to have a more powerful position in our herd. However, a few young cows with the longest horns have more status than most. So it would be apparent that in this instance, size does matter!!
OTHER REASONS WHY LONGHORNS HAVE LONG HORNS
Considering that this article is posted on April Fool’s day, it goes without saying that we must include the following facts,…
- Texas Longhorns use their horns from time to time to forage. To explain, hay is like spaghetti. Spaghetti is best eaten with the aid of a fork. In the absence of a fork, horns come in ‘handy’.
- An itch can be scratched with a hoof and more effectively with a horn.
- If you haven’t seen a cow do yoga, you haven’t seen a Texas Longhorn.
- Just like humans, some bovines have criminal intent. Any cow can pick a lock with their tongue but only a longhorn can pick up a gate, or at least, try.
- Horns can be handy for hanging things, and resting on.
In conclusion,
Even with their long horns, Texas Longhorns are generally easier to manage than many other cattle breeds. We have raised longhorns for over 20 years. Our lifelong memories are all overwhelmingly positive and our experiences have been enriching. If you are considering adding Texas Longhorn Cattle to your pasture, check out our SALEBARN here. We offer Texas Longhorns with the finest genetics and all are fairly priced. In addition, our longhorns are or can be registered with the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.
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Thank you for spending time with us,
Cathy
Disclaimer: All material noted above is based on our hands-on experience as ranchers, as well as our observations of our cattle over the years. We have done and continue to do extensive research to maintain our herd‘s optimum health. However, all opinions and statements made on our website are guidelines only. In addition, we are not qualified statisticians/ veterinarians and urge you to consult a specialist with your concerns. We strive to publish accurate information however in the unlikely event that you detect an error, please let us know.
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