FAQ's on PBR bucking bulls and the equipment used in professional bull riding.
Like humans, they come in an array of shapes, sizes and colors, and, also like humans, display their own personalities and menu of talents that make them unique in the world in which they are known. They are professional bull riding's animals athletes - the incredible bucking bulls that make the sport of bull riding one of the most physically demanding contests on the planet.
The PBR and its members fully understand the value and importance of the bulls used in each PBR competition. Without these outstanding four-legged superstars, neither the PBR nor the sport of bull riding would exist. With this in mind, PBR members, staff and personnel are fully committed to ensuring 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 livelihood depends. Therefore, the care and treatment of PBR bulls is a top priority to those who govern and/or participate in PBR events.
Following are some frequently asked questions about the welfare of PBR bucking bulls and the equipment used in professional bull riding.
Q: CAN ANY BULL COMPETE IN A PBR EVENT?
A: Definitely not. Saying that any bull is suitable for PBR competition is like saying that any human athlete is fit to compete in the Olympic Games. PBR bulls are the highest caliber bucking bulls in the business. Many are products of elite breeding programs that for years have been fine-tuning the important role genetics play in producing great bucking bulls. A majority of PBR bulls are bred and born to compete in the PBR arena.
Q: WHAT IS THE AVERAGE PBR BULL WORTH?
A: The monetary value of a bucking bull depends greatly upon his proven performance in the arena, however most PBR bulls are worth $10,000 or more. As a PBR bull develops a proven record in the arena, his value increases. Chad Herrington, the 2000 PBR Stock Contractor of the Year, purchased two proven PBR bucking bulls - Blueberry Wine and Red Wolf - for $50,000 each. Berger Bucking Bulls, which owns Little Yellow Jacket, voted best bull of the 2001 Built Ford Tough Series World Championships, turned down a $100,000 offer for the second-generation bucking bull.
Q: WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN FOR A BUCKING BULL?
A: Bucking bulls often live well into their teens, which is considered geriatric for any bull. Though a bucking bull may often be in his prime as an athlete around age 5 or 6, many bulls buck past the age of 10 and, when retired from competition, are used as sires in bucking bull breeding programs. Red Wolf, long considered one of the best bucking bulls in PBR history, was retired in 2000 at age 13. He now lives on a Texas ranch where he is being used in Herrington Cattle Co.'s breeding program.
Q: WHAT MAKES A BULL BUCK?
A: The success of bucking bull breeding programs across North America has proven that genetics is the most prevalent factor in determining a bull's desire and ability to buck. For years, finding a good bucking bull among a herd of common sale barn bovines was a frustrating matter of chance for any rodeo stock contractor. Why? Because a bull will only buck if he possesses the innate desire and natural instinct to do so. Today, that instinct is being pinpointed through genetics, and the science of breeding great bucking bulls has made the business of owning bucking bulls one that requires money and patience rather than sheer luck.
Q: WHAT IS A FLANK STRAP?
A: As its name suggests, a flank strap is a strap that goes around the flank of a bull. Its purpose is to enhance the natural bucking motion of a bull and to encourage the animal to extend its hind legs when trying to get his rider on the ground. The flank strap never covers or goes around a bull's genitals, and no sharp or foreign objects are ever placed inside the flank strap to agitate the animal. Furthermore, a flank strap cannot be too tight around the bull's flank or the bull will be too uncomfortable to perform. Pulling the flank strap too tight would restrict a bull's motion, resulting in an inferior performance by the bull and quite possibly a reride for the bull rider. The flank strap is designed for quick release and is removed immediately after the bull exits the arena.
Q: WHAT IS A BULL ROPE?
A: The bull rope is what the bull rider hangs on to throughout the ride. It is wrapped around the chest of the bull directly behind the animal's front legs. At the bottom of the rope hangs a metal bell designed to give the rope some weight so that it will fall off the bull as soon as the rider is bucked off or dismounts the animal. The bell has smooth, rounded edges and does not harm the bull in any way.
Q: DO THE SPURS WORN BY A BULL RIDER CUT OR SCRATCH A BULL?
A: Bull riders wear spurs that are required to have dull, loosely locked rowels (the 'wheel-like' part of the spur that comes in contact with the animal). The spurs help a rider maintain his balance by giving him added grip with his feet. The spurs do not cut or scratch a bull's hide, which is seven times thicker than a human's skin.
Q: HOW MANY MILES DO BULLS TRAVEL ON THE PBR CIRCUIT?
A: The PBR has an extensive network of stock contractors who are located in all parts of North America. This means that in no matter what city a PBR event takes place, the bulls provided for that event will not be hauled an unreasonable distance to get there. For example, West Coast stock contractors like Don Kish (Red Bluff, Calif.) and Julio Moreno (Marysville, Calif.) are likely to provide bulls for PBR events in California and Oregon while Canadian stock contractors Bruce Sunstrom (Cessford, Alberta) and Harvey Northcott (Caroline, Alberta) are likely to supply bulls at PBR events in Canada. Furthermore, the bulls typically arrive at least 24 hours prior to an event, which helps ensure that the bulls are acclimated, rested, well fed and hydrated prior to competition.
