LONGHORNS

Texas Longhorns have a long and storied history. The Spanish first brought their long horn breeds of cattle to the Americas in 1493. Though their horns were indeed longer than most cattle, they did not much resemble the Longhorns you’ll see here at Wildcatter Ranch. Later on, while the English were colonizing North America, they brought with them their native Anglo cattle breeds in 1623. Around 1830, Mexico, Texas and the Louisiana Purchase became a melting pot for cattle breeding and it was here that the now famous Texas Longhorns evolved. By the end of the Civil War, due to many factors like the large Texas ranges, the Texas Longhorn breed multiplied to an estimated five million. This new breed of cattle was fast due to their long legs and lanky body, could be mean, and were very hearty withstanding blizzards, drought, and the extreme Texas heat. After the Civil War, many Texas Longhorns were driven north along the Goodnight Loving and other trails.

Charles Goodnight, one of the originators of the Goodnight Loving Trail, once said “As trail cattle, their equal has never been known. Their hoofs are superior to those of any other cattle. In stampedes, they hold together better, are easier to circle during a run, and rarely split off when you commence to turn the front. No animal will shift and take care of itself under all conditions as will the Longhorns. They can go further without water and endure more suffering than others.”

Our Longhorn herd at Wildcatter Ranch is a mixture of young and old and their horns vary, as you’ll see. One of our Longhorns has a horn spread, tip to tip, of 94.5.” Please feel free to take pictures of our Longhorns. Check with our front desk for feeding times and you just might get a real close up view of these beautiful animals.