Rodeos are a lot of fun to be in and watch. There are certain phrases that are used specifically for rodeos. Here are a few of our favorite examples. Enjoy:
1. Suicide Wrap – A bull rider uses a suicide wrap to wrap their bull rope around their hand. Today, suicide wraps are not usually allowed in rodeos. The reason? It is extremely dangerous since it is very hard for cowboys to get out of suicide wraps once they fall off the bull or bronco.
2. Pulling Leather – When a cowboy says they were pulling leather this means they were holding on to the saddle horn. Cowboys need to hold on to the saddle horn to prevent getting thrown off a bucking horse. Another term that is used for this is known as grabbing the apple.
3. Dragger or Trotter – You will more often than not see this at your rodeo. A dragger is a steer that stops running after it is roped. A trotter is a steer that stops running full speed, and trots instead while hanging its head.
4. Crow Hop – A jump by a horse with stiff legs. Usually this happens when a bucking bronco is not trying to buck his cowboy off anymore. This term is also known as frog walking.
5. Lasso – Braided ropes, or lariat, are the cowboys choice for rodeo ropes. A lasso is a lariat that has a special knot to it to be used for livestock. Lassos are meant to tighten once they are over the livestock’s head.
6. Fanning – Fanning happens when a cowboy uses their hat to fan a rodeo animal. Cowboys remove their cowboy hat and wave them over the stock animal once they are done riding it. It usually is seen as an insult because the cowboy is saying the animal was too easy a ride.
7. Arm Jerker – Ever wonder what cowboys call the meanest bulls out there? They call it an arm jerker. Arm jerker is a term used to describe a powerful rodeo animal with a lot of bucking power and energy.
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