One could be forgiven for assuming that you have to travel to Texas to see Texas Longhorn cattle.
In the Appalachian foothills of Belmont County, Ohio, on a 5,000-acre ranch that looks right out of an old Western flick, resides one of the largest Texas Cattle producers in the world: the family-owned Dickinson Cattle Company. That may be impressive enough in the ranching world, but it is unique attractions like Shadow Jubilee — her horns measure more than 81 inches from tip to tip — that make the Barnesville locale a popular summer trip.
During 75-minute tours, purple-and-white buses carry visitors into the cattle pastures for an up-close look at an assortment of breeds. Fifty cents buys guests a bag of “cow candy” for an even more intimate experience. “We honk our horns, and the cattle surround the bus,” says tour coordinator Teu Hackney. “They will actually eat from your hands.”
Hackney provides continuous dialogue throughout the drive, including ranch history — the Dickinsons have been in business for 40 years, relocating their herds to Belmont County in 1994 — and lots of information about the variety of animals. Stops are also made at the barn, where visitors can watch staff interact with cattle, and the Longhorns Head to Tail Store, where such souvenirs as lassos and hide rugs await wannabe cowboys.