Steer wrestling

Steer wrestling is a high-speed rodeo event that requires immense strength and timing. It is also frequently called bulldogging.

In this competition, a rider on horseback chases a steer at a gallop. The rider must leap from the horse to the steer to grab its horns. By using their body weight, the wrestler pulls the steer off-balance until it falls. The goal is to bring the animal to the ground quickly and safely. Once all four of the steer's legs are off the ground, an official waves a flag. This signal marks the end of the run, and a timer records the duration.

The mechanism of a steer wrestling run involves several specialized roles and tools. The process begins in a chute with spring-loaded doors. A barrier rope is fastened around the steer's neck to provide a head start. On one side of the chute, a person called the hazer rides parallel to the steer. The hazer's job is to ensure the steer runs in a straight line. On the opposite side, the steer wrestler waits behind a taut rope. When the wrestler nods his head, the chute man trips a lever to open the doors. The steer then bursts out of the chute into the arena.

Once the steer is running, the wrestler must catch up to the animal while riding at full speed. The wrestler leans far over the side of the galloping horse to grab the steer's horns. As the steer begins to slow, the wrestler is pulled from the horse. To maintain control, the wrestler plants his heels into the dirt to slow his own momentum. He then releases one hand from the horns to grab the steer's nose. This specific movement helps pull the steer off-balance to complete the throw.

There are specific techniques used to execute the throw effectively. In the original method, a wrestler leans from the horse to give his upper body weight to the steer's neck. He might grasp one horn with a hand and the other horn with the crook of his elbow. The wrestler allows the steer to pull him until his feet fall out of the stirrups. By twisting the steer's head and pushing down on one side, the wrestler creates instability. Finally, by placing the steer's nose in the crook of the arm and throwing backward, the animal falls. This requires a precise coordination of weight and leverage.

The history of this event stretches back to the ancient world. Its origins can be traced to Ancient Greece and bull-fighting events called taurokathapsia. In these events, bullfighters on horseback would chase bulls and jump onto them using only their hands. Modern steer wrestling, however, is a much more recent development. The technique known as bulldogging was invented in the 1890s by Bill Pickett. Pickett was a legendary Black cowboy and a performer in Wild West shows.

Professional rodeo follows strict rules to ensure fairness and safety. If a horse breaks the rope barrier before the steer is released, the wrestler receives a 10-second penalty. If the wrestler misses the steer entirely while attempting the move, he receives "no time." Most professional runs are very fast, lasting between 3.0 and 10 seconds. The animals used are typically longhorns or corriente cattle, weighing between 450 and 650 pounds. Human wrestlers are often much smaller, typically weighing between 180 and 300 pounds. While steer wrestling is riskier than speed events, it has a lower injury rate than bull riding.

Animal welfare is a significant topic of discussion surrounding steer wrestling. Animal-rights advocates often express concerns regarding potential cruelty. In response, modern rodeos in the United States are highly regulated. They use specific rules to manage how animals are handled. Data from various studies suggests that the injury rate for animals is quite low. A PRCA survey of 60,971 animal performances found only 27 injuries. This represents an injury rate of approximately 0.05%, or about one injury for every 2,000 animals.