Running Arrow Bill
Well-known member
Ryan indicated that it was easier to breed for horn than for conformation with longhorns. Guess we agree to disagree to some extent:
For example: If one is breeding "Butler" longhorns, then yes, their propensity for horn appears to be dominant. And, you get a leaner look, small behind/hip, etc.
On the other hand, if you breed the "heavier" bodied longhorns to each other (with "body" genetics), then you tend to produce body most of the time.
In sum, in all fairness to all longhorn breeders, you have to know and use your genetics to produce what you are shooting for and select those "conformation" components that contribute to your program. Of the "original" 7 Families of longhorns, they all had different characteristics--throughout the decades, "mix & match", and purposeful line-breeding and out-crossing have produced the many styles and configurations of longhorns we see today--but, they are "still longhorns." ;-)
For example: If one is breeding "Butler" longhorns, then yes, their propensity for horn appears to be dominant. And, you get a leaner look, small behind/hip, etc.
On the other hand, if you breed the "heavier" bodied longhorns to each other (with "body" genetics), then you tend to produce body most of the time.
In sum, in all fairness to all longhorn breeders, you have to know and use your genetics to produce what you are shooting for and select those "conformation" components that contribute to your program. Of the "original" 7 Families of longhorns, they all had different characteristics--throughout the decades, "mix & match", and purposeful line-breeding and out-crossing have produced the many styles and configurations of longhorns we see today--but, they are "still longhorns." ;-)