Council funds improved livestock facilities for Fort Worth Herd

Council funds improved livestock facilities for Fort Worth Herd

Published on November 13, 2024

The City Council on Tuesday approved funding $400,000 for improved Fort Worth Herd equestrian facilities in the Stockyards.

Why it matters: To assure the welfare of the Herd's horses and livestock until new facilities can be developed as part of the second phase of development in the Stockyards, the City will amend its contract with Visit Fort Worth to fund the public-private partnership. These improvements will buy time until new facilities are constructed.

Herd history: The Fort Worth Herd produces a twice-daily longhorn cattle drive in the Fort Worth Stockyards that celebrates Fort Worth's western heritage and lifestyle. Created in 1999, the organization today is managed as a subsidiary of Visit Fort Worth. The City funds the Herd's $1.7 million operating budget through a contract with Visit Fort Worth. The source of City funding for the Herd is the Culture and Tourism Fund.

What's coming: The City will fund $400,000 in improvements to the Herd's horse barn facilities at 2500 N. Houston St. Improvements will include covered horse stalls, an operations trailer, security cameras, horse therapeutic equipment and wash rack.

The source of funding for these projects is the City's share of profits from the operation of Cowtown Coliseum.

Separately, Friends of the Fort Worth Herd will fund $177,200 in improvements to the Herd's livestock facilities at 129 E. Exchange St., to include onsite covered horse stalls, ventilation improvements and repairs to fences, gates and holding areas.

Photo: The Fort Worth Herd moseys twice daily through the Stockyards to celebrate Fort Worth's western heritage and lifestyle.

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Tagged as:

• Arts & Culture
• Business & Economy
• District 2