In most sports there are certain pieces of equipment that are mandatory, you simply must have them in order to perform. Well bull riding is no different. There is just certain equipment that is essential and without them you will not be able to compete.
Here are five pieces of bull riding gear every prospective bull rider needs to have be safe, successful and looking good.
Bull Riding Gear Essential No.1: Bull Rope
First off is the Bull Rope. This is the main piece of equipment that you will use when riding a bull.
It is a poly-braided rope that has a handhold in the center of it. This handhold is composed of reinforced leather lacing that makes it very stiff and prevents it from rolling over or twisting.
There are many different types of ropes, the major difference being in the plaits. This deals with how many strands are in a row and how tight is braided. They run from a five plait to a seven and a nine plait, with five being a soft, pliable plait and nine being very tight and hard.
Bull Riding Gear Essential No.2: Bell
Next we have the bell, it is required by all rodeo associations across the country. The bell is an audio and visual representation of the action that is going on and it’s weight aids in the removal of the rope when the writer dismounts.
Some bells are made from copper which is soft can be crushed by the bull, while the better bells are made of steel. The clowns that work with the bulls dislike the bells made of steel because they can cause injuries to the rider, the clowns or the bull.
Bull Riding Gear Essential No.3: Gloves
Absolutely essential bull riding gear includes a good pair of gloves. They should be leather and made of quality cowhide or buckskin.
It is up to you to decide if you prefer a thinner glove which will allow you to feel more or a tougher one that will last longer and offer you more protection.
You’ll also need a rope pad, this piece of equipment is placed up under the handhold and will help to protect the knuckles of the rider from the backbone of the bull. They are usually covered in leather or suede to make them more durable.
Photo: Monica Ray
Bull Riding Gear Essential No.4: Spurs
You will also need spurs, these are used to help the rider remain secured to the bull as well as to agitate the bull enough where he will increase his gyrations and attempted throws, thus increasing the score for the rider, if he can stay on the bull long enough.
Note: More and more riders today are investing in face masks and you may want to do the same. The face mask does just what it says, helps to protect your face from any collision with the bull, the ground or the chute.
Bull Riding Gear Essential No.5: Chaps and Vests
The last two pieces of equipment are more imprortant than people think: vests and chaps.
The vest helps to protect the rider from the bull in the event that the bull hooks him or steps on him; the vest would absorb most of the impact.
The main purpose of chaps is to help protect your clothes and the rider from sliding while sitting on the back of the bull. These may be purchased generically or if you can afford it you can have them custom made with very extravagant and eye-catching designs .
These are your essential items for bull riding so be sure you “don’t leave home without them.” Enjoy your ride!
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