i always thought a castrated cow (male, obviously) was an oxen.

how is it we didn't cover this subject when we covered cow/cows/cattle?

what is the difference between a steer and an ox?

Here in eastern US, we tend to have cows exclusively (dairy) so there are few males about, castrated or otherwise. which is why the plural of cow becomes cows.-- not cattle. All you see are she's!