History of the Longhorn Breed

RISING FROM THE PAST

From the TLBAA.com website

The Texas Longhorn has followed a long trail to the 21st century. Its ancestors came from the shores of Spain, arriving with Columbus in 1493 at Santa Domingo. In 1521, Gregorio de Villalobos brought the first cattle from Santa Domingo to Mexico. Explorers, settlers and expeditions to establish missions then brought cattle into Texas. These cattle, mingling with cattle lost by eastern settlers, propagated as they escaped, were scattered by Indians or abandoned. Left on their own without benefit of man, these ani­mals survived by their own ingenuity - developing through the years the traits of hardiness, disease resistance, longevity, fertility and browse utilization.

During the dark days following the Civil War, the Texas Longhorn became the financial salvation of the Southwest. Men returning home found that their only source of income was the thousands of Texas Longhorns wandering freely - worth next to nothing in Texas, but hungered for by residents in the North. An estimated 10 million Texas cattle were trailed to Northern markets between 1866 and 1895 bringing in the staggering sum of $200,000,000.

However, in the late 1800s, the hardy Texas Longhorn met with an enemy its natural instincts couldn't fight - the fencing of the open ranges and the importation of other breeds. The number of Texas Longhorns dwindled until the true Texas Longhorn approached extinction. As national concern grew, the U.S. government appropriated $3,000 in 1927 to acquire a herd of the old-time cattle. After a 5,000- mile trip through South Texas and Old Mexico, Forest Service employees located 27 head, which became the foundation stock for the federal herd at the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in Cache, OK.

Through the years, interest in Texas Longhorns increased, and in 1964, concerned breeders organized the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America (TLBAA), now headquartered in Fort Worth, TX. Today, through the efforts of those breeders, over 450,000 head of Texas Longhorn cattle have been registered.

Why Longhorns?

From the TLBAA.org website

The TLBAA works toward preserving the integrity of the Texas Longhorn breed. The following are breed attributes and market advantages that are characteristics of Texas Longhorns:

COMMERCIAL BULLS
Texas Longhorn bulls are the bull of choice for first-calf heifers. The commercial cattleman knows that the lower birth weight of the calves puts less stress on the mother. It also gives him a live calf to sell at market the first-time out.

COMMERCIAL FEMALES
Many cattlemen utilize the inherited genetics of the Texas Longhorn female with their breed of bull to produce vigorous calves.

REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY
The Texas Longhorn’s hybrid vigor is a heritable quality enhances your present breed and gives you a new genetic pool. The Texas Longhorn’s reproductive efficiency is due in part to the females’ large pelvic openings and low birth weights which culminate to produce live calves.

SEED STOCK
The seed stock producer furnishes the start-up stock for many new breeders. He also provides other seed stock producers with a new genetic pool.

RECREATIONAL STOCK
There is a ready market for Texas Longhorns for both roping and cutting stock. The cattle are quick, agile and live long, active lives. Texas Longhorns breed well into their teens, making them a lucrative investment.

UNIQUE
No two Texas Longhorns are alike. They all differ in color pattern, size, horn length, and personality.

DISEASE AND PARASITE RESISTANCE
A natural immunity developed over the centuries means fewer veterinarian bills and less maintenance for today’s cowman.

ADAPTABILITY
The breed thrives in climates ranging from hot, damp coastal regions to harsh northern winters.

TRADITION AND NOSTALGIA
The Texas Longhorn is the living symbol of the Old West. Wherever the western influence is desired—front pasture, cattle drives, or tourist attraction—you’ll find a demand for this magnificent breed.

PURE PLEASURE
Intelligent and easy to work with, the Texas Longhorn is easily trained to exhibit in the show ring, lead or drive in parades, pull wagons, and yes, even to ride.

LEAN BEEF
The breed naturally produces leaner cuts of meat that can lower cholesterol. Today’s health-conscious consumer demands leaner beef, which gives Texas Longhorn beef a niche advantage in the meat market.

HORNS & HIDE
The Texas Longhorn is profitable long after it’s outlived its usefulness as a beef producer. The horns, skulls, and mounts are in high-demand as elements in chic, southwestern décor for both homes and businesses.

BEAUTY
They say “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” and with Longhorns there is a lot to behold! With striking coats in a wide variety of color and pattern and a multitude of horn shapes and sizes, there is something to suit any taste.

LONGEVITY
You better like your Longhorns, because they are going to be around for a while. It is not unusual for a longhorn to produce calves into their 20s. This attribute is a huge bonus in production or as pasture art.

BEEF
Lean and healthy! A study by Texas A&M shows Longhorn beef is low in cholesterol, high in protein and less fat than chicken. The demand for locally & humanely raised healthy beef continues to grow.

CALVING EASE
Smaller calves and larger pelvic openings mean less calving problems. Longhorn cattle typically give birth without assistance or hardship. This makes birthing a worry free affair.

HARDINESS
We’ve all seen the typical picture of Longhorn cattle out on a desolate range, they are one of the few breeds that can thrive in a variety of harsh conditions and climates.

COMMUNITY
The Longhorn community is an amazing group of individuals. There are Longhorn breeders from coast to coast willing to share information and resources, lend a hand and just be a friend.

HORNS, HIDE AND SKULLS
Whether ending life for beef production or old age, there is value in their colorful hides and impressive horns as rugs, walls mounts and other decor.