The Care of Texas Longhorn Cattle

Texas Longhorns are large animals that, as their name suggests, have long horns that can reach up to 120 inches in steers. The Texas Longhorn is a hardy breed that has been popular in the United States since the 1870s and will do well without a lot of help from the rancher in terms of effort, although looking after them can be quite physical and you will need a lot of land for them to graze on.

Things You'll Need

  • Fenced land
  • Covered barn
  • Grass pasture
  • Hay
  • Water source
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide the Longhorns with the right living conditions. They should have a large pasture that is securely fenced on all sides as well as a covered barn so they can find shelter in bad weather.

    • 2

      Feed your Longhorns a healthy diet. Longhorns do well on grass, especially rye grass but you may need to supplement their diet if the grass is of poor quality. Hay would be a healthy substitute and you should avoid giving chemical supplements if at all possible. When it comes to livestock, a natural diet is usually considered the best.

    • 3

      Make sure that your Longhorns have easy access to a clean water supply. These animals need a lot of water so a natural source like a river or creek is ideal. If you provide the water in a trough you will need to check it regularly to make sure that it has not dried up in summer or frozen up in winter.

    • 4

      Get to know the animals in your herd and learn how they interact with each other. monitor them regularly so you can spot anything unusual before it becomes a problem.

    • 5

      Have a veterinarian look over your herd regularly and make sure they receive any vaccinations that are required. Each state has different guidelines but your veterinarian will be able to advise you on what is necessary. Your Longhorns will also need to be wormed twice a year. Call your veterinarian as soon as any of the Longhorns show signs of any medical problem and keep all records of any treatment that has been given to them.