Cows have horns — unless they don’t. Selective breeding, dehorning, and disbudding are all ways that humans have changed whether cattle grow horns. But what are cow horns, anyway?
Horns are a natural part of being a cow, but human involvement plays a big role in whether a cow keeps its horns.
In this article, we’ll explore the evolution of cow horns, what purpose they serve, the diverse shapes and sizes they come in, and what their future might look like. We’ll also look at the controversial practice of dehorning and disbudding and what it means for the animals involved.
What are horns and how do they grow?
Horns are made of bone and covered with keratin, the same material that makes up your fingernails. Unlike antlers, which are shed and regrown each year, horns are permanent structures that stay with the cow for its entire life.
Horns begin to develop early in a calf’s development. Around day 58 of gestation, horn buds form. By the fifth month of gestation, those buds are usually visible as small protrusions.
The horn begins to attach to the skull at around two to three months of age, when the forehead bone starts to develop. At around 12 months, the frontal sinus connects to the horn.
Horns continue to grow throughout the cow’s life, although the rate of growth tends to slow down as the animal ages.
Why do cows have horns?
While it may seem like horns are just there, they serve several important purposes for cows:
- Defense: In the wild, cattle use their horns to protect themselves from predators. Musk oxen even form defensive circles with their horns facing outward to ward off attackers.
- Temperature Regulation: Horns help cows regulate their body temperature. Blood vessels in the horns allow heat to dissipate, cooling the animal down.
- Foraging: Cows sometimes use their horns to help them find food, scraping away snow or vegetation to reach what’s underneath.
- Communication and Social Hierarchy: Horns play a role in how cows communicate with each other. The size and shape of the horns can indicate a cow’s social status within the herd. Cows also use horns in displays of dominance and to establish their place in the pecking order.
While these functions are important for wild cattle, the role of horns has changed with domestication.
Horned vs. polled: The diversity of cattle
When it comes to cattle, there’s a lot of diversity in size, color, and build. One of the biggest differences you’ll notice is whether they have horns or not.
Naturally horned breeds
Some breeds are known for their prominent horns. The Texas Longhorn, for example, is known for its exceptionally long horns, as is the Ankole Watusi. The Scottish Highland breed is known for its wide, sweeping horns. The length and shape of horns can vary a lot, depending on the breed and the animal’s genetics.
Naturally polled (hornless) breeds
Some breeds are naturally polled, meaning they don’t grow horns. These breeds have been selectively bred for this trait.
A few examples of polled breeds are Angus, Polled Hereford, and Red Poll. The Galloway is one of the oldest breeds of polled cattle. There are at least 33 different types of cattle that are naturally hornless.
The genetics of horns
Whether a cow grows horns or not is determined by genetics. The gene for being hornless is dominant, so even if a calf only inherits one copy of the hornless gene, it won’t grow horns. Genetic testing can be done to determine if a cow carries the hornless gene, which is helpful for breeders who want to produce polled cattle.
Dehorning and Disbudding: Why Farmers Remove Horns
Dairy farmers often remove cows’ horns to protect their animals and themselves from injury. The process is called either dehorning or disbudding, depending on the age of the animal.
Horns can be dangerous in crowded environments. Cows may accidentally or intentionally injure one another or farm workers. Horns can get caught in fences or equipment, causing pain and distress.
Farmers typically remove horns when calves are young because the procedure is less painful and traumatic at that age. Disbudding involves destroying the horn-producing cells before the horn has fully formed.
Dehorning and disbudding are common practices, but they’re not without controversy. Some animal welfare advocates argue that these procedures are inhumane, even when performed with pain relief. Some farmers are exploring breeding programs to produce naturally hornless cattle as a more ethical alternative.
The Future of Cattle Horns
Many farmers are now breeding cattle to be hornless, or “polled.” This is usually done through selective breeding, choosing animals that naturally lack horns to produce the next generation.
It’s possible that in the future, most cattle will be hornless. This would reduce the risk of injury to both the animals and the people who work with them, as well as eliminate the need for dehorning.
However, it’s important to remember that horns still have value for some people. In some cultures, they are important for historical reasons or even for decoration. So, while polled cattle may become more common, horned breeds will likely continue to exist.
Conclusion
We’ve explored the biology of cow horns, from their bony core to the keratin sheath that protects them. We’ve considered their practical uses for defense and communication, and how different breeds have evolved with varying horn shapes and sizes. We’ve also examined the controversial practice of dehorning, weighing the benefits of safety against the potential for animal welfare concerns.
While horns once played a crucial role in the survival of wild cattle, their function has changed over millennia as humans have domesticated and bred these animals. Today, horns are less about survival and more about the complex relationship between humans and the animals that sustain us. Ultimately, how we manage horns reflects our values and priorities in balancing the needs of both cattle and people.