Q&A for How to Ride a Bull

It's possible, but depending on your size, you might be at the last phase of steer-riding if you're too small to start on the bulls.

The rider sets his own rope by dropping the tail to one side, and using a long metal wire bent into a hook to reach down and under to pull it around the body.

With the right training from the right professional bull rider, yes. Just don't skimp out on the helmet, even if you want to look more "cool" in front of the country boys. You need to save your skull (your brain is an extremely precious thing) over looking good on the bucking bull.

No, in fact you should not start any earlier. You would be around the right size to start riding bulls at the age of 16. You will need to start on smaller bulls, and have appropriate guidance from experienced persons. Also, be aware of local laws with respect to riding bulls and age.

Seek training from a professional bull rider. That is the best way to start bull riding.

I wouldn't do this "around the house," but maybe out in the backyard. You can set up a spring system with a 50 gal oil drum on springs between two posts to practice on. That's the best homemade device to practice bull-riding on.

The flank strap is put on the flank of the bull, going just front of the rear legs and up over the back in front of the loin. It's removed by just untying the knot (called a "quick-release catch") that has been quickly put on to keep it on. The catch knot is easily removed by a quick jerk of the loose end of the rope, or by the bucking action of the bull.

No. At that age, you're to young. The bull could badly hurt you, if not kill you. But you can start out calf riding.

If your right hand is your dominant hand, then you should use your right hand as your free hand and hold on with your left hand.

Go to a rodeo with bull-riding or a PBRA event and hit the corrals to see if you can strike up a conversation with one or more of the professional bull riders there.

As long as you're free from any medical injuries and are in good shape, you should be fine!

It's never too late to try something new.

You're one heck of a brave girl. You'd be one of the rarities, but be strong-headed and tough because it's a male-dominated sport that may not have any comforting thoughts about a woman competing with the guys. Not saying it's impossible, but be prepared to be the odd one out, and to be as determined and tenacious as you can, and then some.

Yes - a calf could be a little small for you; a steer could be a good fit.

Coming from a rider who has been hung up more than once, if you throw your leg over your rope while getting off (open your hand as you do this), then as long as you get off to your riding hand side you’ll never get hung up. I’m right handed so I get off on the right side and usually land on my feet. The only times I’ve ever gotten hung is when I get off to my left because it tightens my rope.

Yes! Training by riding on horseback at first with no saddle is how you would feel the slippage and the loose skin that you would feel on a normal bull. Although you can do this at first, you would soon need to practice on a real bull. When you do, seek a professional for the right training and Information.

You would use your left hand because you use your dominant hand to be your free hand and your non-dominant hand as the holding hand.

Yes, that cow would be big enough.