Miniature Longhorn FAQs

Q.-Are Miniature Texas Longhorns really Texas Longhorns?
A.-Yes, Miniature Texas Longhorns were created by selectively breeding TLBAA registered Texas Longhorns for size.

Q.- How big are Miniature Texas Longhorns?
A.-  Miniature Texas Longhorns are less than a frame score of 1 (height less than 45-inches for cows and 48-inches for bulls) at the age of 3 years.  Height is measured across the back directly over the hooks (top of the hip).

Cows weigh between 350-500 lbs.
Bulls weigh between 500-800 lbs.

Since Texas Longhorns are a tall breed of cattle (most mature over 55-inches tall), the Miniature Texas Longhorns are not as small as some other miniature cattle breeds (e.g. Zebu).  Since these Miniature Texas Longhorns are being selectively bred for size, their height will gradually reduce over time but any cow or bull that matures under 43-inches tall is very small when compared to their full-sized cousins.

When we talk about these Miniature Texas Longhorns being 1/3 - 1/2 the size of their full-sized cousins we are referring to their animal unit equivalent (AUE), which is a measure of how much forage they must consume to survive.  A standard-sized 1000 lb cow must consume approximately 26 lbs of dry matter forage per day whereas a 400 lb Miniature Cow will only require 10.4 lbs of dry matter forage per day (2.6% of their body weight).  So, do not confuse AUE with height - these Miniature Texas Longhorns are between 1/2 - 3/4 the height of their full-sized counterparts but their body mass and forage requirements are 1/3 - 1/2.

Q.- Is there a separate classification within the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America for Miniature Texas Longhorns?
A.- Yes, the TLBAA has a new classification within their registry for Miniature Texas Longhorns. Breeders wishing to reclassify their animals as miniatures must apply for the change and be in compliance with the new rules set by the TLBAA for Miniature Texas Longhorns found at this LINK.

Q.-Have different breed standards been established for the Miniature Texas Longhorns?
A.- Yes, the Miniature Texas Longhorns have their own breed standards, which can be found at this LINK on the TLBAA website.

Q.-Where can I read about the TLBAA Rules & Regulations for Miniature Texas Longhorns?
A.- The TLBAA has established rules that specifically govern the Miniature Texas Longhorns.  These rules can be found at this LINK on the TLBAA website.

Q.- If I own Miniature Texas Longhorns that are registered within the standard TLBAA registry, do I need to reclassify my animals as Miniatures?
A.- The TLBAA does not require you to reclassify your animals and will allow you to keep your animals in the standard registry but they are not eligible to participate in any TLBAA sponsored events that include Miniature Texas Longhorns.  Additionally, the TLBAA rules state that ONLY animals within the Miniature registry may be advertised as “Registered Miniature Texas Longhorns.”  So, you can only advertise these animals as “Registered Texas Longhorns."

Q.-Where can I find Instructions on how to register and reclassify my Miniature Texas Longhorns?
A.- The Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America’s Website has all the information you need.  Click on this LINK to go to this section of their website.

Q.- I have some larger TLBAA Registered Longhorns that I am using in my miniature breeding program.  How should I have these animals registered?
A.- The TLBAA Miniature Texas Longhorn Registry does not require animals to be below a certain height to register them as Miniature Texas Longhorns, however animals that mature over 45” tall at the hook cannot be entered in TLBAA sanctioned miniature events and must be advertised and sold as “TLBAA Registered Miniature Texas Longhorn Breeding Stock.”

Q.- What is the proper way to measure the height on a Miniature Texas Longhorn?
A.- To make a hip height measurement, a measuring square is held vertically alongside the animal's hip with the perpendicular sliding arm positioned level and directly over the hook bones. The measurement read from the vertical portion of the square where the perpendicular arm attaches.

For accurate height measurements it is necessary for the animal to have its legs set squarely and head in a normal position.


Q.- Why would anyone want to register a full-sized animal as “Miniature Breeding Stock?”
A.- When registering calves produced from only one TLBAA Registered Miniature Texas Longhorn parent, the calf cannot be registered until it is over 6 months of age and must pass photo review prior to being accepted into the miniature registry.  Reclassifying your full-sized cattle as “Miniature Breeding Stock” enables you to register their calves at any age and not have to pass any sort of review process.  The question that you have to ask yourself is “Is this animal worth more in the standard registry or the miniature registry?”  Once an animal is reclassified as a miniature it can never go back into the standard registry, which will make the animal worthless to any standard-sized breeder.

Q.- If I reclassify one of my full-sized longhorns as a miniature to improve the efficiency of registering my calves and later decide to sell it to a standard-sized breeder, can I move it back into the standard registry?
A.- No, once an animal is brought into the miniature registry it can never be reversed and all future calves must be registered as miniatures.

Q. - When purchasing a Miniature Texas Longhorn, does it matter which registry they are registered with?
A.- YES, the TLBAA has the only registry that is dedicated to purebred Miniature Texas Longhorns. If an animal is registered with either the ITLA, CTLR, IMTLA or within the standard TLBAA registry, it is not eligible to compete in TLBAA sanctioned Miniature Texas Longhorn events (shows, competitions or sales).

Animals not currently registered as Miniatures within the TLBAA registry can be reclassified but in order to do so, the animal must pass photo review. In the event the animal does not pass review it will not be accepted into the Miniature registry until the concerns of the committee are addressed with DNA testing.  Since we are about 1-2 years away from having reliable DNA tests for breed purity, all animals that do not pass review due to concerns over breed purity are allowed to remain in the standard registry (until a DNA test is available).  There is currently a DNA test for dwarfism (bulldog or Dexter dwarfism), so any animal that does not pass the photo review due to concerns over potential dwarfism must be genetically tested.  Animals that test negative for dwarfism will be brought into the TLBAA Miniature Texas Longhorn Registry but those that test positive for dwarfism will be removed from the registry.

Once DNA breed purity tests are available, animals that do not pass review and if the DNA evidence confirms the findings of the review committee – the animal will be removed from the registry and no future calves produced from that animal are eligible for registration within the TLBAA.

According to the Cattleman's Texas Longhorn Registry (CTLR) visual inspection is more than 95% accurate when it comes to evaluating breed purity.  The TLBAA Miniature Texas Longhorn Committee is composed of some of the most well respected names in the Texas Longhorn industry, so you can rest assured that if an animal passes the photo review, there is no suspicion of breed purity or dwarfism.  With that being said, only purchase TLBAA Registered Miniature Texas Longhorns -- anything else could be a dwarf or crossbred!!

It was because of opposition to the required photo review that several breeders decided to leave the TLBAA and start their own Miniature Texas Longhorn registry in 2012 - The International Miniature Texas Longhorn Association (IMTLA).  Within this new registry, there will be no photo review and therefor no screening for breed purity or dwarfism.  This new registry is completely independent of all other respectable Texas Longhorn registries (TLBAA, ITLA and CTLR).  Their registration database will be housed and managed by the International Texas Longhorn Association (ITLA) but that is the extent of the interaction between these two registries.  It is our understanding that the TLBAA, CTLR and ITLA will NOT recognize this new Miniature Texas Longhorn registry and have no desire to establish dual registration agreements.  With that being said, any animal registered with the new IMTLA will not be eligible to participate in TLBAA or ITLA sanctioned events (shows or sales).  So, if you are looking to make an investment in pure (dwarfism-inspected) Miniature Texas Longhorns and want to make sure that the value of your investment is protected by the integrity of the oldest and most well-respected Texas Longhorn registry in the World - only purchase TLBAA registered Miniature Texas Longhorns!!

Q.-When I look on various Miniature Texas Longhorn breeder websites I see wild fluctuations in price from one animal to the next. Why are prices so variable within this breed?
A.- Many things are taken into account when setting the sale price for TLBAA registered Miniature Texas Longhorns. Primarily breeders are looking at the quality of the sire and dam (blood lines), the height of the animal, the size of the horns, horn shape, body confirmation, disposition, reproductive history, training, coat and color. Exceptional quality animals command a much higher price than animals that do not 100% fit the breed standard. This is the same situation with dog breeders. Show quality dogs command a much higher price than pet quality dogs. Additionally, some breeders are simply more proud of their stock than others.

A common mistake that people make is to start their herd by purchasing economically priced animals. Poor quality stock will likely produce poor quality calves. We strongly believe that you get what you pay for (but not in all cases).

Q.- Should I purchase an animal that is already halter trained?
A.- Animals that are already halter trained are much more enjoyable to own as pasture pets and show animals. These animals crave attention and are much easier to handle. Some halter trained animals can even be vaccinated and have their hooves trimmed without the need for expensive chutes and alleys. So, for small land owners that do not want to invest in expensive working equipment and want gentle animals that they can enjoy as pasture pets from day 1 -- spending a little more money to get a halter trained Miniature Texas Longhorn is a very good idea.

Q.-Why would a ranch be interested in raising Miniature Texas Longhorns?
A.- Miniature Texas Longhorns (MTLs) are "easy keepers," meaning that their feed conversion ratios are much higher than full-sized cattle (e.g. it takes less food for them to put on weight).

Due to their size, they require much less food than full-sized cattle (e.g. 10.4 lbs per day for a 400 lb miniature Texas Longhorn cow versus 26 lbs per day for a full-sized 1000 lb cow). As a result, small acreage landowners can maintain a respectable size herd of Miniature Texas Longhorns without running the risk of over grazing their range.

MTLs are excellent wildlife management tools that are easy on the eye. These little cows do a fine job of reducing standing biomass to improve quail habitat.

Miniature Texas Longhorns typically bring much higher prices than their full-sized counterparts and cost less to produce.

Due to the small size and unique qualities of these animals, they appeal to a much broader range of people than their full-sized counterparts.

Q.-Are there any additional costs associated with Miniature Texas Longhorns that are above and beyond those that would be incurred when raising other types of miniature cattle?
A.- Miniature Texas Longhorns should have very large horns for their physical body size. As a result, special chutes and alleys are a good idea in the working pens. These animals (when > 2 years old) may not be able to get their horns through a standard alley and standard squeeze chute.

The use of equipment designed for beef cattle will only work with VERY gentle animals. Longhorns are very "horn aware" meaning that they know exactly where the tips of their horns are and can slowly maneuver their horns down the alley and chute. With most cattle this is dangerous because you run the risk of breaking horns, etc.

If you are new to owning cattle and are considering purchasing Texas Longhorns - you will save a tremendous amount of time, money and heartache by investing in the proper handling equipment from the beginning.  Even if you later decide to purchase smaller horned or polled breeds, the longhorn working equipment will still work for these cattle.

The best chutes that we have been able to find that will work well with Miniature Texas Longhorns (calves all the way up to adults) as well as standard-sized Texas Longhorns are:

•The Dube Chute
•P&C Longhorn Cage

Q.-Is there a market for Texas Longhorn Beef?
A.- Yes there is!!  To read about the qualities of Longhorn Beef, please take a look at this LINK on the TLBAA website.