warpaint
Well-known member
That's too bad, Ryan. Good luck in N.M. :cboy:
Horns and color were the distinguishing characteristic of the original Texas Longhorn. Now while you're right about having two spotted animals possibly produce a solid, of course that's possible, I don't doubt it. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's just when you get into breeding only for solids that you run the risk of beginning the de-preservation of the breed.Ryan":xin3kc49 said:I do not think that color should come into play at all. It is impossible to predict color. For example, two beautifully spotted animals can easily produce a solid red or solid white animal; or two black or black and white animals can produce brown and white. So, penalizing an animal for its color makes no sense at all, since it cannot be controlled or influenced by selection, just randomness.
I do see your points on horns. However, all longhorns have them. And, since there is variance between every longhorn, I think that in the show ring it is possible to judge and place longhorns with little to no emphasis on the horns.
Don't get me wrong. I am all for horns. However, I feel that selecting for horns over anything related to the production or growth of the animal is doing an injustice to the animal, and I would only be hurting the animal and not helping it.
warpaint":1w7flyiq said:That's too bad, Ryan. Good luck in N.M. :cboy:
jaydill":2mk1ud45 said:Horns and color were the distinguishing characteristic of the original Texas Longhorn. Now while you're right about having two spotted animals possibly produce a solid, of course that's possible, I don't doubt it. And there's nothing wrong with that. It's just when you get into breeding only for solids that you run the risk of beginning the de-preservation of the breed.
As far as the horn thing goes...it's like I said before. The horns are an important part of the breed. I'm not saying that you should select an animal that has less potential over an animal that has more potential just because of the horn size, but the horns should be an important part of the judging process. You have to remember (in the breeding classes) that the judges are supposed to be judging to that breed's specific characteristics. Not as a heifer or bull overall. In that case, if you start seeing animals that display characteristics of another breed, they should be docked for it. If the judges didn't do that and started just judging to one ideal image of a heifer or bull, you'll eventually end up with angus registered as longhorns if you get what I mean.
You do have a point there.Ryan":3nsscx9i said:I know that horns are part of the breed, but with the variation in base size, shape, and length, selecting for horns would only be the judges opinion. One judge could like twisty horns, one could like flat horns, etc...
jaydill":3ocbos2f said:You do have a point there.Ryan":3ocbos2f said:I know that horns are part of the breed, but with the variation in base size, shape, and length, selecting for horns would only be the judges opinion. One judge could like twisty horns, one could like flat horns, etc...
I do have a question though, just curious. Has one of your longhorns ever gone after you with those things? Or are they pretty docile with you?
jaydill":1hs1tzs5 said:Nice. Was just curious about it. I'm guessin it was pretty intimidating? Was it not broke yet? Or just a li'l crazy about the head?
jaydill":2upobbav said:Nice. Was just curious about it. I'm guessin it was pretty intimidating? Was it not broke yet? Or just a li'l crazy about the head?
Got myself a silly steer but he hasn't got horns so it would be a little less scary were he to come after me like that...not that he's ever come after me. He's more a pet than a market steer in my opinion. Would rather play with birds and lambs than eat. The pet steers kind are the best though. ;-)WagaAgeyv":1ki4ntdt said:Try one as a pet (steer preferebly or cow) you will be happy in the end , no pun intended.
Congratulations on your win. And I'd probably of done the same thing. Wonder how he's doing now? We had a steer at our last county show that had to be tied up to the fence to be judged, and still won grand or reserve. Seeing as how it wasn't showmanship, I guess it's fair!Ryan":1ki4ntdt said:He wins Reserve Grand CHampion Bull. Craziest thing I've ever seen. He still went to the sale barn the next day.
jaydill":1cdbtqha said:Congratulations on your win. And I'd probably of done the same thing. Wonder how he's doing now? We had a steer at our last county show that had to be tied up to the fence to be judged, and still won grand or reserve. Seeing as how it wasn't showmanship, I guess it's fair!Ryan":1cdbtqha said:He wins Reserve Grand CHampion Bull. Craziest thing I've ever seen. He still went to the sale barn the next day.