The Fort Worth Herd, a distinctive landmark in Fort Worth, Texas, attracts tourists from all over the world. Real cowboys and cowgirls lead a herd of longhorn cattle through the streets of Fort Worth twice daily during this historic cattle drive.
The Fort Worth Herd is a living representation of Texas history as well as a popular tourist destination. The cattle drive is an imitation of the cattle drives that happened in the late 1800s, when Fort Worth served as a significant center for the cattle industry. Cowboys used to transport cattle from Texas ranches to Kansas railheads, where they were loaded onto trains and sent to markets across the nation.
In order to preserve this significant chapter of Texas history, the Fort Worth Herd was founded in 1999. The cattle drive offers visitors a glimpse into life for cowboys and their animals during the height of the cattle industry through a living history lesson. Longhorn cattle, the most common breed of cattle during the 1800s cattle drives, make up the majority of the herd.
The public is invited to the twice-daily, at 11:30am and 4:00pm, cattle drive. All of the volunteer cowboys and cowgirls who take part in the cattle drive are passionate about Texas history and want to spread that knowledge. To reenact historical cattle drives, they don period attire and employ real tools.
Visitors can observe the cowboys and cowgirls saddle their horses and get ready for the cattle drive before it actually starts. Visitors can get a close-up view of the cattle because they are kept in a corral right next to the Fort Worth Stockyards Visitor Center. With their big horns and distinctive markings, longhorns make an impressive sight.
The cowboys and cowgirls mount their horses and line up behind the cattle when the cattle drive is ready to start. The cattle start to move down the street after the lead cowboy sounds the traditional longhorn horn to signal the start of the drive. Visitors can hear the cowboys and cowgirls shouting “Yee-haw!” and “Come on, cattle!” as they guide the cattle in the right direction with the help of their horses.
The cowboys and cowgirls keep a close eye on the cattle as they move down the street to make sure they stay on course. Additionally, they engage with the audience by responding to inquiries and posing for pictures. After the drive, guests may even have the opportunity to interact with the cowboys and cowgirls and learn more about their experiences.
The Fort Worth Herd offers visitors a chance to engage with Texas history and discover the significance of cattle drives in the formation of the state. It is more than just a tourist destination. Additionally, it allows locals to share and celebrate their heritage with others. The Fort Worth community values the cattle drive so highly that it was named the official State of Texas Longhorn Herd in 2015.
The Fort Worth Herd offers a variety of other activities and events throughout the year in addition to the cattle drive. Visitors can attend a rodeo or a cattle penning competition, as well as take a guided tour of the Fort Worth Stockyards. A thriving entertainment area with shops, eateries, and other attractions is the Fort Worth Stockyards.