Texas Longhorns
Texas Longhorns
The longhorn is one of Texas’ most iconic symbols and an important part of its heritage. They trace their origins to the early 16th century when Spanish explorers and settlers brought their cattle to America. Many were set loose or abandoned to the wild and over time they developed a remarkable resilience, becoming hardy and self-sufficient in the harsh Texas landscape, surviving droughts, predators and scarce resources.
By the mid-19th century, the longhorn became a central figure in American cattle ranching. Between 1867 and 1880 it is estimated that nearly 10 million longhorns were rounded up and driven across the open plains from Texas to Kansas, where they were loaded on trains and shipped to markets in the East. The most famous of these was the Chisholm Trail, which ran right through Fort Worth.
The longhorn’s hardiness made them ideal for these long journeys and their iconic horns and vivid color patterns become synonymous with the Wild West. However, by the late 19th century, the popularity of the longhorn began to decline as ranchers began to favor other breeds that produced more meat and matured faster. By the 1920’s, the longhorn was nearly extinct.
Fortunately, through the work of preservationists like the Texas Historical Commission, which maintains a state herd, the breed and its history have been preserved. Today, Texas longhorns are celebrated not only for their historical significance, but also for their genetic diversity and adaptability and they remain a living symbol of the American frontier spirit.
The information above and more can be found on the Texas Historical Commission’s website.