Today we are helping put on a benefit rodeo. It’s not a traditional rodeo, just a selection of events – Bulls, barrels, break-away, and bucking horses.
It’s been raining for days now and the pen is outside. That means mud everywhere.
The roping calves are from our house. Break-away means the Roper leaves the box and ropes the calf, who gets a head start. Once the calf is roped, the horse stops, and the rope “breaks” off the saddle. The calf runs free with the rope around its neck. The time starts when the horse leaves the box and ends when the rope breaks away from the saddle.
Barrel racing is when a horse and rider make a cloverleaf pattern around 3 barrels. Fastest time wins.
Some of the unsung heroes of the rodeo pen are the pickup horses and the pickup men. They are the safety crew.
Once the 8 seconds is up and the Cowboy is still on the horse, the pickup men ride in to extract the Cowboy from the horse safely.
Another thing people don’t realize is that bucking horses are true athletes. These horses are not forced to buck, they enjoy it.
The great bucking horse Night Jacket has sired multiple National Finals bucking stock. It’s in their blood to buck, and they love it.
All rodeo animals are taken good care of. I am a veterinarian, and I always check the stock. Today this bull cut his leg. I was there to suture him up. If he would have been out in a pasture somewhere, he would not have gotten veterinary care.
It was a muddy day, but a good day to be outside enjoying God’s blessings.
Dr Vet Sonya 