Fort Worth approves $400k funding for Fort Worth Herd

Fort Worth City Council approved $400,000 for improvements to the Fort Worth Herd’s facilities in the Stockyards during its regular meeting Nov. 12.

The gist

According to a city news release, the improvements include:

• Covered horse stalls
• An operations trailer
• Security cameras
• Horse therapeutic equipment
• Wash rack

The news release states these improvements are being made to assure the welfare of the Herd’s horses and livestock until new facilities can be built as part of the second phase of development in the Stockyards.

The backstory

The Fort Worth Herd, which was created in 1999, performs a longhorn cattle drive twice a day—11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. (weather permitting)—on East Exchange Avenue in front of the Livestock Exchange Building, according to the Herd’s website.

According to the news release, funding for the Herd’s $1.7 million operating budget is provided through Fort Worth's Culture and Tourism fund. Funding for the facility improvements is provided by the city’s share of profits from the operation of Cowtown Coliseum.