4 minute read
What Makes Texas "Texas"?: Longhorns
by Rachel Strickland
Bluebonnets, rodeos, and barbecue come to mind when thinking about Texas, but perhaps the most iconic symbol of the Old West is one that’s been around for centuries – longhorn cattle. Aptly named for their exceptionally long horns, which can span more than eight feet in length and provide a powerful defense, longhorns have become a cultural icon for Texas.
In 1995, longhorns were recognized as the official large state mammal.
A Historical Journey
Texas longhorns descended from the first cattle brought to the New World more than 500 years ago by Spanish explorers — including Christopher Columbus — and served as a food source for colonists. The cattle were then brought north to what is now Texas by early American settlers. Over time, these cattle evolved into the exceptionally well-adapted and rugged breed now known as the Texas longhorn. In the 1920s, longhorns faced extinction due to interbreeding, which diluted their bloodline, but the species was saved by wildlife enthusiasts at a refuge in Oklahoma.
Raising longhorn cattle offers significant advantages that make them the preferred breed by cattlemen and ranchers. They have adapted to the hot Texas climate thanks to their thick coats, which protect them from ultraviolet rays and are also fairly resistant to diseases and pests. They are known to be intelligent and easy to work with — they can even be trained to walk in parades or shown in livestock exhibits.
SUSTAINABLE & LOW MAINTENANCE
Aside from the ease of raising them, the primary reason people keep longhorns is for their meat, which is significantly leaner than that of other cattle breeds. In fact, grass-fed Texas longhorns typically produce meat with less cholesterol than a skinless chicken breast.
Also, as a food source, longhorns are prized for their long life span and efficient reproduction. The animals live as long as 30 years and sustain healthy reproduction for more than half their lifetime, largely due to females’ ability to give birth without human intervention, which lowers labor costs for ranchers.
WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"?
Both male and female longhorns have horns that vary in size and shape. Calves’ horns appear when they are about three weeks old, and never stop growing throughout the animal’s lifetime. A bull’s horns are typically straight with an upturn at the end, while a cow’s horns are often shorter with more varied shapes. As well, longhorns’ bold, colorful patterns ensure that no two longhorns look alike, and even after they have been used for meat, other parts are often used for decoration, including the hide, skull, and horns.
Beyond The Beef
Longhorns symbolize more than just a source of beef in Texas culture. They are also deeply entrenched in the sporting community, particularly with the University of Texas at Austin. The university’s longhorn mascot ranks among the top 25 live sports mascots in the country, embodying the spirited cry of “Hook ‘em Horns” familiar to fans nationwide. Yet, many may not realize that this iconic burnt orange emblem is represented by an actual longhorn born in Liberty Hill, Texas.
In 1916, a longhorn steer named Bevo was adopted by UT Austin as its live mascot, and his unique burnt orange fur inspired the school’s color scheme. Since his inauguration, there have been 15 Bevos to date, and Bevo XIII, XIV, and XV were all born and raised in Liberty Hill at Sunrise Ranch, owned by Betty and John Baker.
Over the centuries, longhorns have earned their celebrity status in the state of Texas, not only for the sustenance they supply, but for what they represent — tenacity, adaptability, and individuality, all of which are attributes of a true Texan.
