How to Tie a Bull Rope on a Bull

Properly tying a bull rope is an essential part of a good ride.

Bull riding is one of the fastest-growing extreme sports in the world. Competitors from around the globe flock to bull riding competitions in which the cowboy attempts to stay on a wildly bucking bull for eight seconds. Bull riding requires a number of specialized tools, with the bull rope being the most essential. The rope is placed around the bull, and the cowboy holds tight to the rope to prevent being thrown to the ground. Properly tying a bull rope on a bull is a necessary part of a successful ride.

Things You'll Need

• Bull chute
• Bull rope
• Rope hook
• Glove
• Resin

Instructions

1. Move the bull into the bull chute. A bull chute keeps the bull facing in one direction and prevents him from moving back and forth while the cowboy prepares to mount him. The chute should be just wide enough for the bull to fit comfortably in but not so wide as to allow him to turn around. Ask a helper to stand near the gate to assist you with your rope.

2. Stand over the bull on the top of the chute and pass the looped end of your rope down alongside the bull near his shoulder. Have your helper reach under the bull with a rope hook and pull the rope around the ribcage. A rope hook is a short piece of metal with a curved end used to remove heel ropes from cattle, but it works well to grab the bull rope without putting your helper in danger.

3. Reach down and pull the end of the rope towards you so that it completely encircles the bull. Center the rope in the middle of the bull's back and pass the free end of the rope through the loop, pulling it tight around the bull. Make sure you put your glove on before securing the rope to prevent burns as you get ready for your ride.

4. Lower yourself onto the back of the bull and pull up on the free end of the rope to get it as tight as possible around the bull. The bull may become nervous as he feels the rope tighten around him, but this is a normal reaction as he gets ready to exit the gate.

5. Place a small amount of resin in your gloved hand and rub it up and down the end of the rope to heat up the resin. It will become sticky as it gets warm and will help hold your rope in place during your ride. Slip your hand through the handle portion of the rope, wrapping the free end tightly around your hand two or three times to complete your tie.

Tips & Warnings

• Look over your rope after every ride for frayed or loose ends or strands. The fibers of your rope are under a great deal of stress during your ride and you can be seriously injured if it breaks during a ride.

• Never ride a bull without proper training and supervision. Bulls are extremely powerful animals and can cause injury or death if handled inappropriately.

References

• Professional Bull Riders
• PBR: Bull Riding Equipment

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish