Bull Riding Equipment

1. Headgear - Cowboy Hat or Helmet
Wearing a cowboy hat is not only traditional, it’s practical as well. The cowboy hat offers a layer of protection between the cowboy’s skull and a bull’s sharp hooves.

A cowboy hat may act as the barrier that keeps a rider from needing stitches. For those bull riders seeking added protection, helmets and protective face masks have been devised to shield the vulnerable head area from threatening blows, while the face mask protects both the face and jaw. The helmet/face mask alternative is a matter of personal preference. Some cowboys feel that a helmet or mask restricts their vision, or that the added weight upsets their balance and timing. Often cowboys will wear a helmet and/or mask after a serious head, face or jaw injury.

2.Protective Vest
The vest, invented by PBR Livestock Director and former bull rider Cody Lambert, is worn by the PBR athletes for protection. It serves two primary purposes: it absorbs shock and dissipates the blow to the body, while protecting the torso from threatening punctures caused by direct contact with the bull's hooves and horns. Since the athletes began wearing the protective vest, the number of internal injuries has dropped dramatically.

3. Glove
Cowboys wear a glove only on their riding hand (the hand that grips the bull rope). This leather glove protects a cowboy's hand and fingers. It also makes it easier to hold on to the bull rope. The cowboys actually tape the gloves to their hands, since the force of the bull and the friction of the rope could easily tear a glove off during a ride.

4. Rosin
Rosin helps the cowboy's glove adhere to the bull rope. It is a sticky substance that provides the cowboy with a little extra grip.

5. Chaps (pronounced shaps)
Each PBR athlete wears chaps. These are custom-made and often display the logo of a cowboy's sponsors, as well as various decorative elements. Chaps may be flashy, but they are part of the armor that adds a layer of protection for the cowboy against a bull's horns and hooves.

6. Bull Rope
The bull rope is a flat rope braided from nylon or grass that goes around the bull's girth area behind his front legs. The rope has a handle, constructed partially of leather that is braided into it and serves as the cowboy's only anchor for the duration of his ride. Most cowboys run the rope through their pinky or index finger; however, some riders prefer to use a suicide wrap, which is harder to get out of and increases the chances of a rider hanging up to his bull.

Brazilian bull ropes are the preferred gear of several of the top bull riders. The Brazilian bull rope varies in construction from those braided in America, and are slightly wider. The major difference for those using the Brazilian rope is that the rope is pulled from the opposite side. For instance, an individual riding with his right hand would have his rope pulled from the left side and vice-versa if he is using a Brazilian bull rope. Otherwise, the rope is pulled from the same side as the hand with which he is riding.

7. Boots
The boots the cowboys wear while riding have a special spur ridge on the heel which helps their spurs to stay in place. Some cowboys wear the traditional pull-on boot, while others prefer those that lace up to fit the foot snugly

Other Equipment:

Athletic Cup
Hard to believe, but not one PBR athlete wears one! A cowboy will often wear a pair of tight spandex bicycle style shorts under his jeans, but no cup. Wearing a cup during bull riding is just plain uncomfortable!

Mouthpiece
Similar to the protective mouthpiece commonly worn by football players, the bull rider's mouthpiece protects his teeth from injury upon impact with the bull or the ground.