Steer Wrestling

People usually look up steer wrestling when they’re trying to work out what actually happens in the arena, how it’s judged, and whether it’s something they want to watch, train for, or take their family to. It’s over in seconds, but the details matter: timing rules, safety limits, and animal-welfare obligations vary by organiser and state.

Below is a clear, practical guide to what steer wrestling (also called bulldogging) is, where it came from, what competitors and horses are doing at speed, and the welfare questions that follow it in Australia.^{1, 2}

What steer wrestling is (in plain terms)

Steer wrestling is a timed rodeo event. A mounted competitor accelerates alongside a running steer, dismounts at speed, takes hold of the steer’s horns, and uses leverage and body position to bring the steer down onto its side. The run is only “complete” when the steer is down with its head and all four feet pointing in the same direction.^{4, 5}

Most rodeos run steer wrestling with two riders:

• The steer wrestler (the one who dismounts and makes the throw).
• The hazer, who rides on the opposite side to help keep the steer running straight, reducing sharp veers that can end runs abruptly and increase risk.^{4, 5}

Where it came from

Modern steer wrestling developed through Wild West show performance and rodeo in the United States. Bill Pickett, a Black American cowboy and showman, is widely credited with introducing and popularising “bulldogging”, the technique that later evolved into today’s steer wrestling.¹

How a run works (step by step)

Rules and arena setups differ slightly, but the flow is usually consistent across professional rodeos:

• The start: the steer is released first to get a head start, controlled by a barrier system.
• The chase: the steer wrestler’s horse draws level with the steer while the hazer holds a parallel line on the other side.
• The dismount: the steer wrestler slides down off the horse, still moving, and takes the horns.
• The throw: using leverage, foot placement, and timing, the competitor brings the steer down onto its side.
• The finish: time stops when the steer is down with head and all four feet pointing in the same direction.^{4, 5}

Judging and common penalties

Steer wrestling is decided on time, with penalties added for rule breaches. A common penalty is a 10-second “broken barrier” penalty if the competitor leaves too early and doesn’t give the steer its required head start.^{4, 5}

Many rule sets also require the steer to be on its feet and moving appropriately before the throw is completed; if the run doesn’t meet the stopping/position requirement, it may be scored “no time”.⁴

Equipment you’ll see (and what it’s for)

Steer wrestling uses less gear than roping events, but the equipment is specialised:

• Horse tack: saddle, breast collar, bridle, and protective leg gear are common, chosen for fast acceleration and controlled tracking.
• Rodeo “box” and barrier: the timed-event chute area and barrier system create the steer’s head start and standardise starts across competitors.⁴

Unlike tie-down roping, steer wrestling does not involve tying the animal’s legs. (That detail is often confused in general rodeo summaries.)⁴

The horse’s job (quiet, precise, and fast)

The horse is not just transport. A good steer-wrestling horse runs close enough for a clean horn catch without crowding the steer into a sudden swerve. It also continues forward after the dismount so the rider is not tangled up in a moving wall of muscle and tack.

The hazer’s horse matters too: it mirrors the steer’s line from the other side, helping keep the run straight and predictable.^{4, 5}

Physical demands and real risks

Steer wrestling is short, explosive work: sprint speed, a precision dismount, then a heavy, awkward grapple while boots dig into dirt and the steer’s momentum keeps pushing forward. Riders can be injured by falls, horn contact, missteps under the steer’s shoulder, or a horse clipping the line at the wrong moment.

For the steer, the risk is tied to the chase, the horn hold, and the force of the throw and landing, especially if the steer goes down poorly or the neck is twisted past what the animal can absorb. Welfare codes and event rules attempt to limit the worst handling, but risk cannot be removed entirely.^{2, 7}

Steer wrestling in Australia: welfare rules and oversight

In Australia, animal welfare requirements for rodeos are handled through a mix of state/territory law and codes of practice. These can include specific conditions for steer wrestling and chute dogging—such as minimum steer weight, limits on how many times an animal can be used in a day, and explicit bans on putting fingers in sensitive areas like eyes, nose, or lips.²

If you’re attending or competing, it’s worth checking which code the event is operating under and whether a veterinarian is engaged, as requirements and enforcement can differ by jurisdiction and organiser.²

Controversies and criticisms (and why they persist)

Steer wrestling sits inside a broader debate about rodeo. Animal welfare organisations argue that the chase, noise, handling, and takedown can cause fear, distress, and injury, and they call for stronger restrictions or an end to certain events.^{3, 6}

On the other side, rodeo bodies and participants point to rule sets, animal-use limits, and handling restrictions designed to reduce harm, and they frame the event as a test of horsemanship and timing rather than brute force alone.^{2, 4}

If you want to get involved in Australia

If your interest is practical—watching, learning, or competing—start by grounding yourself in rules and welfare requirements before you ever think about speed:

• Watch in person and focus on lines: how the hazer holds the steer straight, how close the horse runs, and how the dismount is timed.⁴
• Ask which welfare code applies at your local rodeo (it should be known to organisers). In Queensland, for example, the state’s rodeo code of practice includes steer-wrestling provisions.²
• Train under experienced supervision; the hazard is not theoretical, and small technique errors have big consequences at speed.

Final thoughts

Steer wrestling is one of rodeo’s quickest timed events: a short burst where two horses and two riders shape a straight line long enough for a clean dismount and a controlled throw. Done well, it looks almost simple. It isn’t.

If you’re watching, look for straight tracking, minimal scrambling, and a clean finish. If you’re considering taking part, treat the rule book and welfare code as part of the sport, not paperwork on the side.^{2, 4}

References

1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — Bill Pickett (introduced bulldogging/steer wrestling)
2. Business Queensland — Rodeo code of practice (includes steer wrestling and chute dogging conditions)
3. RSPCA Australia — Calf roping in rodeos (notes broader welfare concerns across rodeo events, including steer wrestling)
4. PRCA — 2022 PRCA Media Guide (steer wrestling format and timing finish definition)
5. PRCA Jr. Rodeo — Let’s Learn About Rodeo (steer wrestling basics, hazer role, barrier penalty)
6. RSPCA Australia — “A cruel spectacle – why you should never attend a rodeo” (welfare critique including steer wrestling)
7. American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — Rodeo policy (animal welfare and veterinary oversight considerations)
8. Bennington PRCA Rodeo — Steer wrestling overview (timing and barrier penalty summary)
9. Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo — Rodeo events (steer wrestling finish position and hazer explanation)