Bantengs
Attard Stockhorses – Banteng Crossbreeding Program
At Attard Stockhorses, we have been developing our Banteng crossbreeding program since 2018 with one clear purpose: to produce reliable, athletic cattle for training horses in cow-related sports. Over the years, this program has proven to be one of the most effective ways to create cattle that are responsive, consistent, and long-lasting in the arena.
Why Banteng Cross Cattle Excel in Training
Banteng (Bos javanicus) originate from South-East Asia and possess several natural traits that make them ideal for horse training: Large, reactive flight zone — keeps horses sharp and honest. Exceptional stamina — they stay active and interested longer. Strong herding instinct — they naturally hold together, making them predictable to work. Slow to sour — unlike many traditional breeds used in sport training, they stay fresh and responsive. First-cross males are infertile due to genetic differences between Banteng and traditional cattle, but all first-cross progeny have shown excellent doing ability, strong parasite resistance, and plenty of athleticism.
Our Crossbreeding Results
We have trialled Banteng over a wide range of breeds, including Longhorn, Corriente, Jersey, Friesian, Angus, Charbray, and Brahman. Each combination produces its own distinct working style:
Longhorn cross — exceptionally popular; noted for their longevity and reliability.
Jersey cross — a stud favourite; we’ve had steers working beautifully up to 4 years old.
Second-cross Banteng progeny — created by putting first-cross heifers back to various Banteng lines. These cattle display even more desirable working traits, including slightly larger flight zones and very balanced working styles.
One fascinating behaviour we’ve observed is the strength of their herding instinct. We have even seen newborn crossbred calves leave their traditionally bred dams to follow the pure Banteng herd — a testament to how deeply this instinct runs.
Trainable, Consistent, and Easy to Handle
All our crossbred calves are educated at weaning using our team of working dogs and horses, resulting in well-handled, responsive training cattle. Unlike other exotic breeds sometimes used in the arena, Banteng cross cattle behave very similarly to normal cattle, making them an ideal substitute for fresh cattle in horse training programs.
