How to Identify Highland Cattle
Do a search on the Internet or in a Cattle Breeds book for "Scottish Highland" or "Highland cattle., Study the characteristics of the breed., Memorize the details and characteristics of this breed. , Go on a field trip or road trip and see if you...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Do a search on the Internet or in a Cattle Breeds book for "Scottish Highland" or "Highland cattle.
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Step 2: Study the characteristics of the breed.
Note the following:
Colouration:
Highlanders range from a light fawn/buckskin colour to brown to black.
All animals come in one color.
Body type and characteristics:
Highlands are smaller cattle, similar in size to Dexters or low-line cattle.
They have very long and shaggy coats.
Highlands are not tall cattle, as they tend to have seemingly shorter legs in comparison to the rest of their body than other breeds.
They are also not as long in length as other larger breeds like Angus, Charolais, or Limousin.
Bulls, however are more muscular and thicker than cows.
Calves, when quite young, look like little fur-balls with four legs, as they are quite fluffy, almost like that of a teddy bear.
Head characteristics:
All registered Highland cattle have horns, which taper out and up; older cattle have horns that also taper out at the tips, similar to longhorn cattle.
Calves typically have no horns at birth, but will start to sprout horns as they get older.
Highlands have a long forelocks that extend down past their eyes, making it seem their eyes are hidden from the rest of the mass of hair they have.
Bulls have a broader forehead than cows do, with a bit of a dewlap hanging down from their chins.
Other characteristics:
Highland cattle are highly disease resistant, and also are very hardy in climates that are quite cold, snowy and wet.
They also require very little, if any, supplements in the way of grain and bagged feed, and do just fine on grass and hay.
They are a very docile breed, despite their unusual appearance and intimidating-looking horns.
Highland cattle originated from the rugged and remote moors of Scotland, where hot, dry summers are a rarity. ,, Take pictures of what you thought were Highland cattle, and compare them with pictures of Highland cattle on the Internet and in your Cattle breeds book. -
Step 3: Memorize the details and characteristics of this breed.
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Step 4: Go on a field trip or road trip and see if you can find farms and ranches with Highland cattle.
Detailed Guide
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Note the following:
Colouration:
Highlanders range from a light fawn/buckskin colour to brown to black.
All animals come in one color.
Body type and characteristics:
Highlands are smaller cattle, similar in size to Dexters or low-line cattle.
They have very long and shaggy coats.
Highlands are not tall cattle, as they tend to have seemingly shorter legs in comparison to the rest of their body than other breeds.
They are also not as long in length as other larger breeds like Angus, Charolais, or Limousin.
Bulls, however are more muscular and thicker than cows.
Calves, when quite young, look like little fur-balls with four legs, as they are quite fluffy, almost like that of a teddy bear.
Head characteristics:
All registered Highland cattle have horns, which taper out and up; older cattle have horns that also taper out at the tips, similar to longhorn cattle.
Calves typically have no horns at birth, but will start to sprout horns as they get older.
Highlands have a long forelocks that extend down past their eyes, making it seem their eyes are hidden from the rest of the mass of hair they have.
Bulls have a broader forehead than cows do, with a bit of a dewlap hanging down from their chins.
Other characteristics:
Highland cattle are highly disease resistant, and also are very hardy in climates that are quite cold, snowy and wet.
They also require very little, if any, supplements in the way of grain and bagged feed, and do just fine on grass and hay.
They are a very docile breed, despite their unusual appearance and intimidating-looking horns.
Highland cattle originated from the rugged and remote moors of Scotland, where hot, dry summers are a rarity. ,, Take pictures of what you thought were Highland cattle, and compare them with pictures of Highland cattle on the Internet and in your Cattle breeds book.
About the Author
Carol Coleman
Brings years of experience writing about home improvement and related subjects.
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