Bulls buck in rodeos mainly because they are trying to get something off their back, and that natural instinct is intensified by selective breeding and the use of a flank strap that encourages stronger kicking and twisting motions. Rodeo bulls are specially bred, conditioned, and handled so that their athletic, high-energy reactions become the dramatic “bucking” people see in the arena, but how humane this is remains a major point of debate.

What makes a bull buck?

Several factors work together to make a bull buck in a rodeo.

  • Natural instinct : When a weight is on a bull’s back, its instinct is to jump, twist, and kick to throw it off, similar to how it would react to a predator in the wild.
  • Selective breeding : Modern rodeo bulls are often bred from bloodlines known for powerful, athletic bucking, so the behavior is partly genetic.
  • Flank strap : A strap is tied around the bull’s hindquarters; it creates pressure or annoyance that encourages the bull to kick harder and lift its back end more dramatically.
  • Arena energy and stress : Noise, lights, and crowds can heighten arousal and agitation, which can add intensity to the bull’s movements.

Together, these create the explosive, twisting action that defines bull riding.

How the gear works

The equipment used around the bull is designed to trigger and manage that bucking response.

  • Flank strap placement : It goes around the bull’s waist/hindquarters, not over the genitals; it tightens right before the chute opens and is released as soon as the ride ends.
  • Rope in the rider’s hand : The rider holds a braided rope wrapped around the bull’s chest; when the rider comes off, the weight of a bell helps pull that rope away.
  • No “steering” the buck : Rodeo organizations and industry sources say you cannot reliably train a bull to buck in a specific pattern; each animal has its own style.

Supporters argue the flank strap is an annoyance , not a torture device, while critics say that any deliberate discomfort for entertainment is still cruelty.

Viewpoints: sport vs. cruelty

There is active, often heated, forum and news discussion around whether bull riding is acceptable in 2025–2026.

  • Rodeo supporters say :
    • Bulls are valuable animal athletes, bred, fed, and vetted like top competition horses.
* The strap does not cause sharp pain and is removed quickly; many bulls perform for years and become famous, suggesting they’re not being driven to collapse.

* Events have detailed rules about welfare, including chute behavior and handling standards.
  • Animal welfare critics say :
    • The flank strap and forced riding still create fear and discomfort; one study calls its purpose “to produce an annoyance.”
* The intense bucking seen in competition is not normal behavior in calm environments and indicates distress.

* Bulls, riders, and even bystanders can suffer severe injuries, which fuels ongoing “this is cruelty, not sport” campaigns.

This tension keeps bull riding a trending topic , especially whenever serious injuries or viral rodeo clips hit social platforms.

Bucking styles and scoring

From a rodeo-sport perspective, how a bull bucks is as important as whether the rider can stay on.

  • Bucking styles often mentioned by rodeo groups include:
    • Spinners: bulls that whirl in tight circles.
    • Jump-kickers: high jumps with big rear-leg kicks.
    • Out-of-the-chute chargers: explosive power in the first few jumps, then a pattern to one side.
  • Scoring system :
    • Judges score both rider and bull, with hard, high, unpredictable bucking raising the potential score.
* A famous, powerful bull can make a winning ride worth much more, which is why top bucking bulls are bred and marketed like elite athletes.

So in rodeo terms, what makes a bull buck is not just biology and gear, but also breeding, scoring incentives, and a whole industry built around that explosive eight seconds.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.