I have been living it up large in Texas lately! I twisted the hubby’s arm to take me into Fort Worth to see the Stockyards and my one goal was to get my picture taken with a longhorn cow. I can officially say that that mission was accomplished. First selfie was so-so—the cow (his name was Cotton) was a tad bit uncooperative. He kept turning his head and actually later I read the signs that said to stay 20 feet away from the fence. My bad.
Then I found Padron. Padron was less than thrilled when I held his horn just a scootch too long but he tolerated me and for $5 I have a memory and something that I can official check off my bucket list. I know that many folks have bucket lists and how many of you have “sit on a longhorn” on yours? I venture to say not many.
The place was humming when we were there and we even got to see Mo the Buffalo. Now Mo wasn’t as huge as some we have seen before and he was not one to be petted so we had to be satisfied with selfies with just him in the background.
Every day, rain or shine, 365 days a year they do a short cattle drive twice a day down Exchange Street complete with longhorns and drovers in authentic garb. It is pretty amazing to see them and as one cowboy told me “it is a piece of American history” right there that does not take place anywhere else. It was really pretty amazing.
The Fort Worth Herd was created as part of the city’s sesquicentennial celebration. A herd of 15 Texas Longhorns, each steer representing one decade from Fort Worth’s colorful past, and a diverse team of drovers clad in authentic 19th century clothing were acquired to create the Fort Worth Herd.
On June 12, 1999, in front of 15,000 spectators, the Fort Worth Herd made its first cattle drive to the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District.
There were plenty of ways to get information about the drive and the herd –both in signage and from talking to the drovers and cowboys that were more than willing to share a bit of Texas with me.
Each cow is named, of course, because how should you not have names for these magnificent creatures?
I loved all that was going on in this part of Fort Worth when we visited. We were happy we got there early in the day because by the time we left at mid afternoon the place was packed due to the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering which is an annual event complete with Chuck Wagon cooking events, Cowboy Music, Cowboy Poetry (yes—there is such a thing) and all kinds of other great events. I got lots and lots of pictures so there will be more posts coming for all of you cowboy lovers out there. I am pretty proud of a few of the shots I got so I will definitely be sharing those.
There was so much to see and with the temperatures reading around 92 degrees on this October day we decided to call it a day by late afternoon and head home. No worries—-Cotton and his buddies will be there next time we want to visit.
Take away from the day: Texas has a lot to offer and Fort Worth Stockyards are an amazing place with a lot of history packed in a fairly small area. If you are ever in the area you definitely need to make this a stop.
76 Comments
Leave a commentOh, that looks like so much fun! LOVE the photo of you atop Padron!!! No, having my picture taken with a longhorn isn’t on my bucket list, but it’s fun that you were able to check it off yours.
I would love to see that cattle drive!
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us – look forward to more pictures!
It was really fun! Patron was the gentleman but had had about enough of me holding his horn. Then I dropped my sunglasses and the handler had to reach down and get them which was probably a bit risky…..ugh. My bad.
Oh, that looks like so much fun! LOVE the photo of you atop Padron!!! No, having my picture taken with a longhorn isn’t on my bucket list, but it’s fun that you were able to check it off yours.
I would love to see that cattle drive!
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us – look forward to more pictures!
It was really fun! Patron was the gentleman but had had about enough of me holding his horn. Then I dropped my sunglasses and the handler had to reach down and get them which was probably a bit risky…..ugh. My bad.
I’d be interested in seeing the cattle drive so I’m glad to know that’s available every day. Interesting bit of American history. I haven’t been to Texas in years. It may be time for a return trip.
It was really fun to watch them bring them down the street. They are amazing creatures and a part of history for sure. We hit the jackpot that day with the cowboy reunion in town, too. So many colorful people!!!!
I’d be interested in seeing the cattle drive so I’m glad to know that’s available every day. Interesting bit of American history. I haven’t been to Texas in years. It may be time for a return trip.
It was really fun to watch them bring them down the street. They are amazing creatures and a part of history for sure. We hit the jackpot that day with the cowboy reunion in town, too. So many colorful people!!!!
What wonderful pictures you were able to get!
I got some amazing pictures that day—stay tuned. Some of my favorite were of boots. 🙂
Glad u enjoyed yourself at the stockyards..yes it is an amazing place. Growing up in an around that part of town we tend to take that excitement of longhorns for granted. Just wait till January when the yearly stock show comes to town. Its a must see attraction that I live to see myself. Yes, cowboy boots are the best…. just lots of variety to choose from. Justin boots has a store there in downtown Ft. Worth which would be a good place to start.
I am sure that we all get kind of immune to the incredible things around us when they are just part of our everyday life. I loved all of the buzz going on and even though some of it is a bit “touristy” it is really a piece of American history, isn’t it? I am not sure I can pull off the boots look very well—-our son got a pair of Justin boots, I think, when he lived in Austin. I will have to check with him but that sounds right.
Do you have more Texas bloggers that you follow? I would love to find more!!!
Glad u enjoyed yourself at the stockyards..yes it is an amazing place. Growing up in an around that part of town we tend to take that excitement of longhorns for granted. Just wait till January when the yearly stock show comes to town. Its a must see attraction that I live to see myself. Yes, cowboy boots are the best…. just lots of variety to choose from. Justin boots has a store there in downtown Ft. Worth which would be a good place to start.
I am sure that we all get kind of immune to the incredible things around us when they are just part of our everyday life. I loved all of the buzz going on and even though some of it is a bit “touristy” it is really a piece of American history, isn’t it? I am not sure I can pull off the boots look very well—-our son got a pair of Justin boots, I think, when he lived in Austin. I will have to check with him but that sounds right.
Do you have more Texas bloggers that you follow? I would love to find more!!!
I would not think of visiting stockyards, of all places. My dad would laugh at me.
But I can understand your interest and I would be equally as excited. The horns on those cattle are wicked long and I wouldn’t want to get in their way.
Sounds like you and your cowboy had a great time. I look forward to more pix.
I can learn anywhere!!! Stockyards are a great place to learn a lot of things–like where to walk and where to avoid. 🙂 The cowboys all over the place were wonderful and very helpful!
I would not think of visiting stockyards, of all places. My dad would laugh at me.
But I can understand your interest and I would be equally as excited. The horns on those cattle are wicked long and I wouldn’t want to get in their way.
Sounds like you and your cowboy had a great time. I look forward to more pix.
Looks like you had fun. Sitting atop a long-horned steer would not be on my bucket list. 😉 We saw enough of those critters and buffalo too when we used to live in southern Oklahoma. We traveled to the Dallas-Fort Worth area often back then and went to the stock show at the stockyards once. Of course, that was many moons ago.
Oh I bet you have had your fill of them but I just am intrigued. They are definitely something to behold if you have not seen them in person. I am a lover of cows to begin with for some reason so this just fueled it.
Ooo, you’re brave!
Padron was pretty mellow. I don’t think he would be in service for photos if he wasn’t pretty mellow.
OMGosh! You look so happy! Longhorns fascinate me as well! Maybe I should make a bucket list! And yes, it would be on mine! Neat! Neat! Neat! Beautiful, beautiful pictures!!!
Ah—-come on—grab a long horn!!! It really was fun. We had a perfect day—-I was so happy to be with my Mr. Diamond for a week.
OMGosh! You look so happy! Longhorns fascinate me as well! Maybe I should make a bucket list! And yes, it would be on mine! Neat! Neat! Neat! Beautiful, beautiful pictures!!!
I can’t wait for the next in-stall-ment…
I can’t wait for the next in-stall-ment…
Ugh……
I know, I know.. I just can’t help myself sometimes..
Glad you didnt rein yourself in this time. Yuck yuck.
That got an unbridled belt buckle chuckle.
Just doing my “bit”.
I think we’re both a couple of silly “Chaps”..
It almost makes me want to visit Texas! (Not in the summer though)
The summers can e pretty brutal but regardless—it is a fun place to be!
So I’ve heard. I was there many years ago as a kid but back then I liked the heat. Not so much now..lol
I usually bring the heat with me. “fanning herself”
LOL! Well we could use a little heat up here right now in this snow laden city.
Ugh. Don’t talk to me about snow. I am so not ready.
Ha nor was I!
It almost makes me want to visit Texas! (Not in the summer though)
What a cool thing to do. My Dad would have loved it there.
It was a lot of fun and Chris was really good about indulging me.
It seems he always is. Just like my Paul.
Love your pics, Beth Ann! It almost looks as though you had the longhorns pose for you. Very cool! Looking forward to seeing more.
They were tolerating me at the very least! 🙂
A very education, informative and fun story all wrapped up in a single blog. Good reading.
Aw, thanks so much, Ozzie! It was such a fun day.
A very education, informative and fun story all wrapped up in a single blog. Good reading.
Aw, thanks so much, Ozzie! It was such a fun day.
Love this! While I’ve been around cattle my whole life, this just looks like a very cool experience! Hopefully I can make it down sometime!
I love all things cows. I always have. These guys were just amazing to me and I loved the whole day!
Cool! I have always wanted to visit the stockyards!!
It was VERY fun. Very fun!
I have been in Stockyiards but never saw a cow with such big horns.. I enjoyed the pictures.
I have been in Stockyiards but never saw a cow with such big horns.. I enjoyed the pictures.
They were so fun to watch and they are pretty intimidating with their horns, let me tell you!
Love the shot of you astride the Longhorn! You are one brave girl!
How fun! I like all things cowboy, always have! Looks like you had a great time!
You would love Fort Worth. It is very cow boyish!!!!
How fun! I like all things cowboy, always have! Looks like you had a great time!
You would love Fort Worth. It is very cow boyish!!!!
It was a lot of fun and Chris was really good about indulging me.
It seems he always is. Just like my Paul.
Longhorn! Love the picture of you riding one. I’ve have taken a ride on a cow but not a long horn. It was a bony experience. No food????
that is awesome!! we had one really friendly bull, Barney, on our farm that you could sit on, and even ride if he was in the mood. we’ve also had the mean ones you stay 20 feet away from too. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen an actual long horn up close and personal. those horns are a LOT bigger than the ones I am used to seeing. Everything IS bigger in Texas! 🙂
that is awesome!! we had one really friendly bull, Barney, on our farm that you could sit on, and even ride if he was in the mood. we’ve also had the mean ones you stay 20 feet away from too. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen an actual long horn up close and personal. those horns are a LOT bigger than the ones I am used to seeing. Everything IS bigger in Texas! 🙂
This would not be my favorite kind of day, but I’m glad you enjoyed yourself!
It really was a blast!!!
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