Did you know the iconic AT&T Stadium transforms from the home of the Cowboys to a real, Texas-sized rodeo? Professional Bull Riders, or PBR, have made their home in Arlington, Texas, for their legendary World Finals and this isn’t your average bull riding competition.
 

We’re here to clear the air about how well these bucking kings get treated, and how they live life on and off the dirt with our list of things you did not know about PBR bulls:

  1. The American Bucking Bull is a specific breed

Bred specifically to compete, the bulls that compete in the PBR are products of an elite breeding program that breed for genetically superior bucking. A recognized breed of cattle, thanks to the PBR and the ABBI (American Bucking Bull, Inc.), there are 200,000+ animals alive with bucking bull genetics. Their lineage, like racing horses, can be traced a long way.

  1. The bulls know they are competing, and know the drill

These bucking bulls are seasoned professional athletes. When they start training at age 1, it is a constant repetition of arena sounds, being loaded onto a truck then into the chute and learning what it’s like to perform for the crowd. Not all bulls will buck – we are told some just take to it right away. By age 2, they get loaded weight on their backs called a “bucking dummy,” which is remotely operated –this is when they know the weight will only be on them for 8 seconds. They know when they get to the arena, it’s their time to shine and get amped just like riders.

  1. They have only one ride the entire event

One and done, bucking bulls have only one ride the entire night.

  1. Agitation is not used in any way to get them to buck

Bucking is an instinct to these specifically-bred animals. For a ride, bulls have a flank strap encircling their flanks, which is in front of their hips. This creates a less erratic bucking performance.  Spurs are used but are required to be dull (riders actually use spurs to get a grip on the animal) and do not scratch the animal – a bull’s skin is 7 times thicker than human skin!

  1. Bucking Chutes (holding pens) were changed specifically to decrease injuries to the bulls’ legs

PBR completed a redesign of the traditional bucking chute to improve rider and bull safety. Since the redesign, injuries to bulls have been completely eliminated.

  1. They are transported with the utmost care

The animals are only allowed to travel a maximum of 10 hours per day in trailers with air-ride suspension to prevent injury before leading them to rest and graze for 12-14 hours. To make the travel more comfortable, the bulls are in 6-10 inches of soft sawdust.

  1. They eat like kings

Bulls are fed 15 pounds of high-quality hay every day, and often times get B-12 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.

  1. There is a veterinarian on call for each stock contractor at the 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. Health papers are required for all animals arriving at competition and they are inspected with great care prior to competition.

  1. The bulls get acupuncture!

We’re not sure they appreciate self-care as much as we do, but many of the bulls get top notch chiropractic care and receive acupuncture to help them stay in top health physically, thus emotionally.

  1. Retirement sounds like a solid deal

We are told bulls usually don’t mature until they are 3 or 4 and typically compete when they are 5-6 years old. Bulls can live into their teens, with bulls still bucking well past age 10. Once they retire from competition, they become sires of the bucking bull breed and make more bucking babies.

 

Source: Professional Bull Riders.