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Bull Riding

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Submitted By sraley
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Rodeo is a sport in which common, everyday tasks of the lifestyle of a rancher have been added to a handful of rules and regulations, uniting humans and ranch animals for the sole purpose of entertainment (Friends of rodeo). The sport has been around for many years, and in that time many people have had speculations and ideas about the treatment and welfare or the performing animals (PETA). Bulls participating in rodeo competitions seem to be one of the animals that happen to be most criticized about when it comes to the idea of how animals should be treaded and cared for. Many interest groups fight to ban competitions like bull riding, stating that the animals are treated unfairly and are constantly put into danger (PETA). But bulls are given a purpose when participating in rodeo, for the need for bulls on both dairy and meat farms is far less then the population of livestock used in the rodeo, giving reason to euthanize the bulls if rodeo was not an option (Friends of rodeo). The sport of bull riding not only revolves around the riders, but just as equally the animals themselves; these animals are given the highest quality of care and respect available in order to allow them to perform at the best of their abilities and to ensure a high quality of life. The Professional Bull Riding Association and bull contractors both take extreme measures in order to ensure each bull receives a good amount of care. Professional bulls can be worth as much as a couple hundred thousand dollars each (PBR now), which provides the contractors with a huge need to provide their animals with the greatest care that money can buy. The contractors cannot disregard the health of the bull, giving them reason to force the Professional Bull Riding Association to tighten their rules to ensure the safety of animal athletes during competition. Both contractors and the PBR will hold riders responsible for harming an animal in any way. Bulls are more than livetock, but instead are seen as professional athletes, and in turn must be cared for at the highest standard (PBR now). Contractors make sure bulls are fed properly, just as if they were ranch animals. All bulls receive twenty five to thirty pounds of mixed grain per day, twenty pounds of alfalfa grass per day, and are given a B-12 complex vitamin shot every two weeks (PBR now). Nothing is spared when it comes to the needs of these animals; professional bulls are given at least the same, if not better care then they would if they lived their life out in a pasture or a ranch. Competition bulls are living creatures, and are treated as any animal should be treated by their owner’s (PBR now). Both the Professional Bull Riding Association, and the bull contactors who participate in competitions work together in order to put in place the best possible transportation guidelines to ensure the comfort of every bull (Shin, 11). PBR rules state that each bull must be given a health inspection every time it crosses a state boarder, a bull may only travel eight hours per day and must rest at least twelve hours after rest, and bulls must stand in six to ten inches of sawdust shavings while traveling (Bull Riding). All these rules help to provide each bull with a feeling of comfort when traveling from competition to competition. In fact, in November 2006, the Professional Bull Riding Association sent all their bulls to the Hawaii All-Star event by plane rather than using a boat. The boat would have taken an entire week longer, yet would have saved the PBR two hundred and fifty thousand dollars (PBR now). When it comes to the safety of rodeo bulls during travel, money is definitely worth close to nothing when compared to the welfare of each animal. Rodeo organizations have many extreme rules in place in order to ensure the safety of animals; bull riding competitions have more rules in place about the safety of the bulls than the safety of the riders (Friends of rodeo). The PBR welfare and treatment of PBR’s animal athletes policy states:

“Professional bull riding is fully commited to ensure the much deserved health, safety, and respect of each bull that enters a PBR arena. To mistreat a bull would be a detriment to the sport upon which a bull rider’s own livlihood depends. Therefore, the care and treatment of PBR bulls is a top priority to those who govern and/or participate in PBR events.” (PBR now)
PBR redesigned new lead up alleys and holding area specifically to cut down on injuries to competition bulls. The Professional Bull Riding Association also redesigned new bucking chutes in order to ensure the safety of riders, and also cut down on leg injuries to the animal athletes. Bulls who are determined to have injuries may not participate in any PBR competition until the injury is completely healed, which usually takes anywhere from one to four full weeks (Bull riding). Each stock contractor is given a personal vet at each competition, for no other reason but to ensure the safety and care for each animal during competition. In the PRCA, animal treatment rules have been in place since 1947, which is a complete seven years before the human society was even founded (Friends of rodeo). This proves that those who own and govern the bulls know how to treat and take care of the animals. PRCA states that animals may not be dragged, beaten, or burned, and their testicles cannot be tied. Penalties for unnecessary roughness in the PRCA is a two hundred and fifty dollar fine for the first offense and may increase from there. Contractors and Associations put rules in place to ensure the safety of every person and animal at every competition (Friends of rodeo). Since rider’s must interact with bulls that belong to contractors, the PBR has created rules for how bull riders may interact with the animals. Since fifty percent of a rider’s score depends on how the bull performs, every rider wants a bull that is in top physical shape (Pro Rodeo). Riders must use certain equipment as to not harm the animal in any way. Pro Rodeo rules state the rowels on the rider’s spurs must be three millimeters thick, and two centimeters in diameter so no bruises or cuts are left on the animal. The spurs must also be locked rowel, helping the rider to flow with the loose hyde of the competition bulls instead of cutting the skin like free moving rowels. The competition bulls do not even feel the rowels, as the hyde of a bull is a full seven millimeters thick, compared to the one millimeter thick skin of a human. Riders found with non regulation spurs receive a score of zero for every ride during the competition, are disqualified from competition, and may have to pay a fine. Rules like these help to ensure that the animal experiences minimal stress and injury during competition, and that riders follow the rules in place (Pro Rodeo). Flank straps are among one of the most controversial devices used in bull riding. Many interest groups believe flank straps cause burns and open wounds during competition, and also state that the straps are tied around the genetalia of the animal (Shin, 14). In reality, the flank straps used in competition work off of pressure. The straps sit gently on the animal, for if they were too tight the stubborn beasts would refuse to move, let alone buck. The perfect amount of pressure must be applied to the animal to make it believe that bucking will make the strap fall off. All straps are lined with fleece, providing no danger to the animal from the flank strap. All straps have a quick release so the strap can be taken off quickly after the bull is don’t with the ride (Shin, 14). Every piece of equipment is designed as not to harm any animal in any way. Rodeo contests were developed by people who have worked on ranches and have devoted their lives to these animals (Woerner). Contractors must use the same techniques in rodeo that are used on every day ranches, for bulls are extremely stubborn animals and need to be controlled. The best way to control a bull is with a cattle prod.

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