The Texas Longhorn is instantly recognizable by its magnificent, sweeping horns. This breed, shaped by centuries of natural selection on the open range, possesses a unique genetic makeup that allows it to thrive in diverse environments. The iconic horns are the breed’s defining feature and often lead to confusion regarding which sex possesses them. This article clarifies the presence of horns in the breed and explores the biological differences between the horns of the male and female Longhorn.
Horns Across Both Sexes
The simple answer to whether female Texas Longhorns, known as cows, have horns is yes; they do. The presence of horns is a characteristic of the Texas Longhorn breed itself, not a trait limited by the animal’s sex. Both bulls and cows are naturally horned, a condition known as cornute, distinguishing them from breeds that are naturally polled, or hornless.
Horn development begins early in life and continues for both sexes throughout their lifespan. In this breed, the difference between the sexes lies not in whether horns are present, but in their eventual size, shape, and thickness.
Anatomy and Growth of Longhorn Horns
A longhorn’s horn is a permanent, living structure composed of two main parts: a bony core and an outer sheath. The internal bony core is an extension of the frontal bone of the skull, which provides the horn’s fundamental strength and shape. This core is porous and contains a network of blood vessels and nerves, particularly near the base.
Encasing this bone is the hard outer layer, which is composed of keratin, the same fibrous protein found in human fingernails. This keratin sheath is formed in laminated layers, which gives the horn its durability and characteristic color patterns. Horns grow continuously from the base, adding material throughout the animal’s life, a process influenced by genetics, nutrition, and overall health.
The growth occurs faster in the first few years, slowing down as the animal matures. Unlike antlers, which are shed and regrown annually, the Longhorn’s horns are never shed and remain a permanent part of the animal.
Distinguishing Between Bull and Cow Horns
While both sexes are horned, the horns of a mature bull and a mature cow exhibit distinct morphological differences. Bull horns tend to be significantly thicker and heavier, especially at the base where they attach to the skull. This massiveness is partly attributed to the effects of testosterone, which contributes to greater bone density and overall bulk in the male.
The shape and trajectory also differ noticeably. Bull horns typically have a massive, blocky appearance and often grow out and slightly downward before sweeping forward. In contrast, cow horns are generally thinner, more delicate, and often achieve a greater length and spread from tip to tip. The female horns frequently display a more graceful out-swept curve, sometimes forming a distinctive upward twist or lyre shape.
The growth rate between the sexes shows variation. Bulls reach nearly 90 percent of their mature horn growth by about two years of age. Cows take longer to achieve their full length, often continuing to grow significantly for an extra year or two, which is why cows often hold the records for the longest tip-to-tip horn spans in the breed.