There are millions of people around the world who attend rodeo events annually. After watching the bull riders, many people wonder, “Why are those bulls so angry?” Some people jump to the conclusion that the animals must be mistreated in order to buck with such fervour. In reality, the bulls are naturally aggressive due to the chemistry in their brains.
A bull’s strength and aggression is caused by substances such as testosterone in its body. Testosterone is a hormone that is primarily responsible for the development of secondary male characteristics, such as increased muscle and bone mass, and aggressive behaviours. There are other compounds in the brain that can be linked to aggression. These neuropeptides are chemical messengers that cause aggressive behaviours and higher pain tolerance.
Bulls are herd animals, and some of these behaviours are often used when attempting to obtain mates. In a bovine herd, there is often one mature bull that breeds with and defends many cows. In nature, bulls challenge and fight each other for the position of stud animal. The winner is the strongest, most aggressive animal whose genes will be passed on to the offspring. He is also the most capable of defending his herd from predators and other bulls vying for his position. Therefore, bulls developed aggressive tendencies in nature long before cowboys jumped on their backs.
Bucking behaviours are linked to predator evasion. When a bull is attacked, the predator initially attacks the bull’s flank. These areas contain the muscles that are needed to run. When these muscles are damaged, the animal is no longer able to flee, which then makes it easier for predators to kill. Bulls buck to dislodge their assailants from their flanks.
This natural instinct is exploited at rodeos by use of the flank strap. This leather strap wraps around the bull’s abdomen and causes the bull to buck higher. This results in a better show for the audience and more of a challenge for the cowboys. The higher bucking does not (contrary to popular belief) wrap around the testicles, since the testicles are located further back. Cowboys also use a bull rope, which wraps around the shoulders of the bull. This gives them something to hold on to and allows them some chance of staying on the bull for 8 seconds. Cowboys also use spurs. These are used a bit for grip, but are mostly for show. The ends must be rounded off for the bull’s safety, or the cowboy could be disqualified.
Bulls are bred to buck. Breeders mate aggressive animals because the offspring of these animals tend to be more aggressive. Aggressive bulls are highly sought by rodeo associations and, therefore, the more feisty animals are sold for exorbitant prices. This creates generations of bulls that have been selected for their ability to buck and for their aggressive tendencies.
Rodeo bull aggression is often thought to be caused by inhumane housing and animal abuse. The welfare of the bulls is actually very important economically. Top quality bulls are expensive to buy; therefore, they are given the best feed and veterinary care to ensure their health and longevity. This ensures that bulls are able to perform at their peak and earn the fame necessary to create demand for their offspring.
There are many factors that promote a bull’s aggressive behaviour. Testosterone creates strong, aggressive bulls needed for the guarding of herds of cows. Cowboys use equipment to manipulate predator evasion tactics used by the bull to encourage bucking. Bull breeding programs focus on the continuation of these aggressive traits in their lines. Bulls are not angry because they are treated badly at home; rather, there are many reasons for their aggression.
- Savannah Howse-Smith, Charlene L'Heureux, Leah Predy and Chris Sauve
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