Texas Longhorn

Longhorns were the first cattle to set foot in America. That, however, is a minor detail. The real story is how and why they became so famous.

A Longhorn can live on cactus and brush. A Longhorn can survive the hottest summers of Texas or the coldest winters of Montana. A Longhorn can go without water for days at a time. No other breed could At one time, the choice was Longhorn cattle or no cattle at all.

Believe it or not, the Longhorn almost became extinct. With the coming of the railroad, it was no longer necessary to graze cattle in harsh conditions. Instead, you could keep the herd in good pastures and ship your beef. Consequently, other breeds became more popular because they were heavier, had higher fat content, tasted better, etc.

And so, the Longhorn dwindled and almost died out. But not quite. Today, Texas Parks and Wildlife maintain an official "State Longhorn Herd."

The Texas Longhorn is an official symbol of Fort Worth, Texas.

The Longhorns is the name of The University of Texas at Austin.

A Longhorn is the perfect Texan: Strong, tough, resilient.