Raising Rodeo Animals

By Johnny McDonald

How do you produce fresh animals each time for a rodeo? The question was broached to Cotton Rosser, who has been supplying bulls, steers and broncos for more than 40 years.

“That’s easy,” he said. “They only work about eight minutes a year when you figure they buck about eight seconds 10 to 15 times a year.”

Then they’re turned out to pasture for the winter, except those that might be headed for the Las Vegas nationals. The animals get plenty of good grain, hay, sunshine and pasture.

“They are bred just like you raise dairy cattle, beef cattle or show cattle,” Rosser said. “We raise mean bulls and mean bucking horses.”

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“Fighting ability of bulls is pretty much genetic in the breeding. They like to buck a rider off and walk to the check pen.”

Rosser said animals become very smart. Some breeding bulls will buck until they are 12 to 14 years old but most are done after 4 to 5 years; many of the bucking horses perform much longer.

The calves and steers used in timed events are equally as vital. A quick and alert calf or steer is essential for a winning run.

“Cowboys have started wearing helmets and padded vests,” Rosser said. “Bulls are clove-footed, and when they step on you they dig in, where a horse will brush off.”

“Bulls don’t care if they step on you or not. Most horses would rather jump over you. Cowboys can break arms, legs, ribs, but when they bust a head, that’s kind of serious.”

Rejecting animals?

“If they don’t perform, we don’t use them,” he said. “Maybe 30 percent won’t buck up to satisfaction.”

“They buck when they want to buck, not when we want them to buck. (Then) they’re sent to auctions in Utah and Montana.”