What makes bulls buck

There is no independent collation and review of injury records including rodeo training schools , thereby making it impossible to determine the true nature and prevalence of injuries caused by bull riding. Bucking bulls were 13 times more likely to have a spinal disorder than non-bucking bulls and they were more likely to develop horn disorders. The nature of bull riding combined with facility limitations leads to poor emergency responses to serious injuries.

In some cases, bulls who have broken their legs have been forced to walk out of the arena rather than be sedated and euthanased quickly in situ to minimise further pain and suffering. At venues where a veterinarian is not legally required to attend, such as in Queensland and New South Wales, in some instances bulls who have broken their legs have been loaded onto a truck and transported elsewhere before being euthanased.

A flank strap is tightened on each bull just prior to release from the chute. It applies pressure to the sensitive underbelly causing discomfort and possibly pain in order to make animals buck more violently. Spurs, which are made of hard metal and attached to the boots, are used by some riders to kick the bull in the flank or belly to make them buck more. In the USA, a number of jurisdictions have prohibited the use of flank straps and spurs under local ordinances, which has effectively shut down rodeos in those areas, as without this equipment, animals do not buck to the excessive level required for the performance.

In Germany, the Registered Association of Veterinarians for Animal Protection reviewed the impact of flank straps and spurs on animals and concluded that they should be prohibited [ 3 ]. Bull riding is not a normal husbandry practice on farms or stations and does not align with good cattle handling skills. The Australian cattle industry strongly promotes low-stress stock handling, where workers are trained to minimise stress and handle animals calmly with minimum noise and movement.

Workers on many farms and stations have undertaken such training over the past few decades. Meat and Livestock Australia, the industry research and development organisation, supports low-stress stock handling because it is consistent with good animal welfare, occupational health and safety and productivity. Research shows that community concerns regarding the use of animals in entertainment is rising [ 4 ]. As such, there are greater community expectations on government, businesses and organisations to respond appropriately to public concerns regarding the welfare of animals.

Rodeos are often sponsored and supported by local businesses and sometime community groups with some receiving donations collected at the event. However, most businesses and organisations are unaware of the significant animal welfare issues associated with rodeos, although awareness is increasing.

Increasingly, companies are withdrawing support for animal events, including rodeos, that provoke community concern, on the basis that they do not align with their brand strategy. Bulls are fed 15 pounds of high quality hay every day, and often times get B complex vitamin shots and nutritional supplements to keep them healthy, happy and at the top of their game.

The handlers make sure the bulls are hydrated, well fed and happy before any event. There is always a vet on site or on call. If there is any issue health-wise with an animal at the event, the veterinarian is notified immediately. This is ethically done and has a paper trail, health papers are required for all animals arriving at competition. They are inspected with great care prior to competition.

The bulls competing in PBR on February 24 are years old and more mature. As these bulls can live into their teens, with bulls still bucking well past age Once they retire from competition, they become sires of the bucking bull breed and make more bucking babies. Not only is PBR a fantastic production, but it really keeps the safety of riders and bulls at the top. Special thanks to Professional Bull Riders for all information included in this article.

They're going to do that anyway. But a painless, harmless method is employed to encourage this ability and behavior and to give the animal the incentive to buck as hard and effectively as possible. It's accomplished through the use of a specially-designed device known as the flank strap. Despite what you hear from certain animal rights activists, this strap does not induce pain.

It works by pressure, just like a lead chain for a dog or a bit in a saddle horse's mouth. In fact, the flank strap is tightened in the same way you cinch a girth on a riding saddle on a horse, except the flank has a quick release. These straps are typically lined with sheepskin or they're padded to avoid chafing, cutting or otherwise hurting the bull. The strap does not come in contact with the bull's genitals, no matter what you've heard to the contrary. If you have any doubt, tune in the next time a rodeo is televised and watch what happens when the ride is over.

The cowboy is no longer on the bull's back, but the flank strap is still in place. Is the bull bucking? Usually not, at least not for very long or very hard, because that flank strap was never what was causing him to buck so hard in the first place, at least not by itself by causing the animal pain.

Nothing is done to intentionally hurt the bucking stock at a rodeo. This includes the binding of testicles, a popular lie spread by certain groups taking a stand against the sport. It includes drugging, beating or burning.

Nothing at all is done to these animals to make them react in a certain way to avoid pain. After the ride is over, the bull usually stops bucking shortly after the rider's weight is gone. These animals are the lifeblood of the stock contractors' business and they're a rodeo cowboy's livelihood. It's in the best interest of everyone involved that these animals be protected. Rodeo is a dangerous sport and accidents do happen, but there are more rules in place to govern the safety of the livestock than there are to protect the competitors themselves.