Horn
The permanent horn of cattle, a living core of bone covered by a sheath of keratin.
Also: horns, seeng, horn core
Cattle horns are not shed like antlers. Each grows from a bony core joined to the skull and is covered by a sheath of keratin that grows from the base throughout life, so rings at the base can give a rough idea of a cow's age, often one ring per calving. Horn shape is a strong breed marker: the wide lyre of the Hungarian Grey and the Kankrej, the long horns of the Texas Longhorn and the Ankole, the short horns of the Shorthorn and the back-swept horns of the Hallikar. Cattle use horns in disputes and defence, and they may help shed heat. Horn has long been carved into cups, combs and buttons.