Can Female Cows Have Horns?

Cows use their horns to control their body temperatures and defend themselves against predators. Dehorning, or disbudding, is the practice of removing the horns of young calves. Horned cattle can injure themselves, each other and their handlers, especially in the close quarters of a dairy. They also require special feeding equipment, and their horns can become entangled in vegetation, leaving them trapped. Some animal welfare organizations view dehorning as cruel because it is painful when done without anesthetics or analgesics.