How to Put a Bull Rope on a Bull

Bull riding is one of the fastest growing extreme sports around the globe. Cowboys from all over the world compete to stay on the back of a raging bull for 8 seconds, with judges scoring both the bull's performance and the cowboy's overall ride. Bull riders carry very few pieces of equipment, although a bull rope is an essential tool for a successful ride. The bull rope sits behind the shoulders of the animal and gives the cowboy something to hold onto during his ride. Fitting a bull with a bull rope is a simple but vital part of any successful ride.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cattle chute
• Bull rope
• Glove
• Rosin

How to Put a Bull Rope on a Bull

1. Run your bull through the cattle chute to prepare him for your ride. The chute allows the cowboy to prepare the bull for his ride and mount the bull safely. The chute should be just wide enough to allow the bull to walk into the chute, but not so wide he can turn around. Have a helper stand near the gate to make sure it is firmly closed to keep the bull from escaping.

2. Stand over the bull in the chute and drop the free end of your bull rope down the side of your bull, directly behind his shoulder. Hold the rope by the loop and have your helper slide the free end of the rope under the bull's chest. Reach down and grab the free end so that the bull rope completely wraps around the bull. Be sure to have your riding glove on to keep from getting rope burn as you prepare your rope.

3. Center the rope over the bull's withers, with the handle portion centered behind his shoulders. The rope must be centered properly to give you the firmest grip and to prevent you from being off-balance when your ride begins. The bull rope is the only piece of equipment holding you on the pull, so proper placement is necessary.

4. Slide the free end of the rope through the knot and pull the rope tight. The bull may get a little anxious and move around as you tighten the rope, but this is normal as he prepares himself to exit the chute. Tighten the rope as much as possible to prevent the rope from slipping at the beginning of your ride.

5. Sit gently on the back of the bull, placing a small amount of rosin in your gloved hand and running it up and down the end of your rope. The rosin warms up as it is rubbed over the rope, making the rope slightly tacky and minimizing slipping during your ride. Put your hand through the handle portion of your bull rope and wrap the free end tightly around your hand, fully securing your bull rope.

Tips & Warnings

• Check your rope carefully after every ride for signs of wear and tear. If you notice any parts of your rope are unraveling or coming apart, replace the rope to prevent it from breaking during a ride.

• Never attempt to ride a bull without proper training and supervision. Bulls are very powerful animals and you can be seriously injured or even killed if you do not know what you are doing.

References

• Professional Bull Riders
• Bull Rider's Equipment
• About Bull Riding