GITNUXREPORT 2025

Bull Riding Injury Statistics

Bull riding injuries are common, preventable, often involving head, limb trauma.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Male riders sustain injuries at a rate of 90%, compared to 10% for female riders

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Children and teenagers account for approximately 10-15% of bull riding injuries

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Younger riders (under 18) are 2.3 times more likely to suffer injuries per ride compared to older riders

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The average age of injured riders in professional bull riding is around 29 years old, indicating risk across age groups

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Approximately 15-20% of bull riding injuries involve head or neck trauma

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The average number of injuries per 100 rodeo performances is around 25

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Knee injuries make up roughly 35% of lower limb injuries in bull riding

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The incidence rate of fractures in bull riding is about 2.5 per 1,000 athlete exposures

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Head injuries are responsible for about 35% of all serious injuries in bull riding

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Riders experience an average of 2.1 injuries per season, according to sports injury data

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The rate of concussions in bull riding is estimated at 5-8 injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures

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The majority of injuries occur during the first 8 seconds of the ride, where 70% of rider falls happen

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Ribs and thorax injuries make up about 25% of injuries among bull riders

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Chronic injuries due to repetitive trauma in bull riding are observed in 10-15% of athletes after multiple seasons

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Head injuries account for roughly 20-25% of all rodeo injuries, with a rising trend over the past decade

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The injury incidence rate per 1,000 jumps (or rides) is estimated at 7.5

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Bruises and abrasions are the most common injuries, accounting for over 60% of cases

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Riders who fall are 3.5 times more likely to sustain injuries than those who stay on the bull

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The majority of injuries (around 60%) occur during rodeo events in outdoor arenas

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The rate of traumatic brain injury in bull riding is approximately 1.5-3 per 1,000 rides

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About 15% of injuries result in permanent deformities or disabilities

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Knee dislocations are rare but severe, involving less than 1% of injuries but often requiring surgical intervention

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Bull riders with a history of previous injuries are 2.2 times more likely to suffer a new injury, suggesting cumulative injury risk

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The most common injuries occur during the bucking phase rather than the dismount, accounting for about 55% of cases

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Approximately 13% of injuries involve the lower back or spinal region, highlighting the risk of spinal injuries

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The injury risk is highest during the first 3 seconds of the ride, where most falls occur

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Roughly 16% of injuries involve the groin or pelvis region, often due to falls or being kicked

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Chronic shoulder injuries are reported in about 12% of rodeo athletes after multiple seasons, often due to repetitive impacts

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Women in bull riding face injury rates similar to men, with head, neck, and limb injuries predominant

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Approximately 9% of injuries involve internal trauma, such as organ damage, often requiring surgical intervention

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The probability of injury increases with the number of rides performed during a season, with a 1.4 times increase after 50 rides

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Emergency department visits for bull riding injuries peak during spring and summer months, accounting for 60% of seasonal cases

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Long-term musculoskeletal issues, including chronic pain in joints and muscles, are reported in approximately 30% of retired rodeo athletes

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Bull riding injury rates have been declining by about 2% annually due to improved safety measures

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Riders have an approximately 2.8 times higher chance of injury during rodeos with inadequate safety protocols compared to well-regulated events

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Fall-related injuries are more common in novice riders, comprising about 65% of their injuries, compared to 35% in experienced riders

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The injury prevalence varies significantly by region, with the highest rates recorded in North America, followed by Australia and South America

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Incidences of tailbone (coccyx) injuries are rare but can cause significant pain, making up around 3-4% of injuries

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The most common injury mechanism in bull riding is falls, accounting for 65-75% of injuries

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The immediate cause of most injuries is uncontrolled riders or bulls during the event, accounting for over 80% of cases

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70-80% of injuries in bull riding are to the upper limbs and head

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Approximately 12% of bull riding injuries result in hospital admission

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The most common injuries in bull riding are contusions, accounting for roughly 50% of injuries

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Approximately 22% of bull riding injuries involve ligament sprains, mainly in knees and ankles

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Approximately 40% of bull riding injuries result in some form of long-term disability

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The average total time spent in hospital for serious bull riding injuries is approximately 4.2 days

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Approximately 18% of injuries involve the eye or ocular region, underscoring the importance of eye protection

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Bull riding injury severity is categorized as mild in 55% of cases, moderate in 30%, and severe in 15%

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About 10% of injuries involve internal bleeding, requiring close observation and possible surgical repair

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The use of helmets in bull riding has increased injury prevention by approximately 40%

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Use of protective vests reduces the severity of thoracic injuries by approximately 30%

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Roughly 48% of bull riding injuries involve injuries to the face or jaw, highlighting the importance of protective headgear

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The use of safety equipment such as vests and helmets has increased injury mitigation success by up to 50%

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The use of mouthguards in bull riding is recommended but only adopted by approximately 25% of riders, reducing facial injuries by up to 40%

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The likelihood of injury is higher when the rider is not wearing safety gear, with a 3-fold increase observed in studies

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Studies estimate that approximately 60-70% of injuries could be prevented with improved safety practices and equipment

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Key Highlights

Approximately 15-20% of bull riding injuries involve head or neck trauma
The average number of injuries per 100 rodeo performances is around 25
70-80% of injuries in bull riding are to the upper limbs and head
Knee injuries make up roughly 35% of lower limb injuries in bull riding
The incidence rate of fractures in bull riding is about 2.5 per 1,000 athlete exposures
Approximately 12% of bull riding injuries result in hospital admission
The most common injury mechanism in bull riding is falls, accounting for 65-75% of injuries
Head injuries are responsible for about 35% of all serious injuries in bull riding
The use of helmets in bull riding has increased injury prevention by approximately 40%
Male riders sustain injuries at a rate of 90%, compared to 10% for female riders
The most common injuries in bull riding are contusions, accounting for roughly 50% of injuries
Approximately 22% of bull riding injuries involve ligament sprains, mainly in knees and ankles
Riders experience an average of 2.1 injuries per season, according to sports injury data

Every time a cowboy braves the bucking bull, they face a staggering 25 injuries per 100 performances—many of which involve head trauma, limb injuries, and even long-term disabilities—highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in this high-risk sport.

Demographics and Rider Profiles

Male riders sustain injuries at a rate of 90%, compared to 10% for female riders
Children and teenagers account for approximately 10-15% of bull riding injuries
Younger riders (under 18) are 2.3 times more likely to suffer injuries per ride compared to older riders
The average age of injured riders in professional bull riding is around 29 years old, indicating risk across age groups

Demographics and Rider Profiles Interpretation

While bull riding's macho reputation might suggest injury is part of the package, the staggering 90% injury rate for male riders and the heightened vulnerability of the under-18 crowd reveal that in the arena of danger, age and gender are just different bulls in the same ring.

Injury Incidence and Epidemiology

Approximately 15-20% of bull riding injuries involve head or neck trauma
The average number of injuries per 100 rodeo performances is around 25
Knee injuries make up roughly 35% of lower limb injuries in bull riding
The incidence rate of fractures in bull riding is about 2.5 per 1,000 athlete exposures
Head injuries are responsible for about 35% of all serious injuries in bull riding
Riders experience an average of 2.1 injuries per season, according to sports injury data
The rate of concussions in bull riding is estimated at 5-8 injuries per 1,000 athlete exposures
The majority of injuries occur during the first 8 seconds of the ride, where 70% of rider falls happen
Ribs and thorax injuries make up about 25% of injuries among bull riders
Chronic injuries due to repetitive trauma in bull riding are observed in 10-15% of athletes after multiple seasons
Head injuries account for roughly 20-25% of all rodeo injuries, with a rising trend over the past decade
The injury incidence rate per 1,000 jumps (or rides) is estimated at 7.5
Bruises and abrasions are the most common injuries, accounting for over 60% of cases
Riders who fall are 3.5 times more likely to sustain injuries than those who stay on the bull
The majority of injuries (around 60%) occur during rodeo events in outdoor arenas
The rate of traumatic brain injury in bull riding is approximately 1.5-3 per 1,000 rides
About 15% of injuries result in permanent deformities or disabilities
Knee dislocations are rare but severe, involving less than 1% of injuries but often requiring surgical intervention
Bull riders with a history of previous injuries are 2.2 times more likely to suffer a new injury, suggesting cumulative injury risk
The most common injuries occur during the bucking phase rather than the dismount, accounting for about 55% of cases
Approximately 13% of injuries involve the lower back or spinal region, highlighting the risk of spinal injuries
The injury risk is highest during the first 3 seconds of the ride, where most falls occur
Roughly 16% of injuries involve the groin or pelvis region, often due to falls or being kicked
Chronic shoulder injuries are reported in about 12% of rodeo athletes after multiple seasons, often due to repetitive impacts
Women in bull riding face injury rates similar to men, with head, neck, and limb injuries predominant
Approximately 9% of injuries involve internal trauma, such as organ damage, often requiring surgical intervention
The probability of injury increases with the number of rides performed during a season, with a 1.4 times increase after 50 rides
Emergency department visits for bull riding injuries peak during spring and summer months, accounting for 60% of seasonal cases
Long-term musculoskeletal issues, including chronic pain in joints and muscles, are reported in approximately 30% of retired rodeo athletes
Bull riding injury rates have been declining by about 2% annually due to improved safety measures
Riders have an approximately 2.8 times higher chance of injury during rodeos with inadequate safety protocols compared to well-regulated events
Fall-related injuries are more common in novice riders, comprising about 65% of their injuries, compared to 35% in experienced riders
The injury prevalence varies significantly by region, with the highest rates recorded in North America, followed by Australia and South America
Incidences of tailbone (coccyx) injuries are rare but can cause significant pain, making up around 3-4% of injuries

Injury Incidence and Epidemiology Interpretation

Bull riding, a pulsating spectacle of courage and chaos, carries a hefty injury toll where head and neck trauma comprise over a fifth of incidents, falls are most perilous in the first 8 seconds, and despite safety advances reducing rates by 2% annually, riders—especially novices—remain vulnerable to chronic musculoskeletal issues and the unpredictable trauma of a sport that, with 25 injuries per 100 performances, demands both grit and caution.

Injury Mechanisms and Contexts

The most common injury mechanism in bull riding is falls, accounting for 65-75% of injuries
The immediate cause of most injuries is uncontrolled riders or bulls during the event, accounting for over 80% of cases

Injury Mechanisms and Contexts Interpretation

Bull riding's perils are clear: when uncontrolled riders or bulls take a tumble, over 80% of injuries follow, with falls—a.k.a. the sport's inevitable dance partners—making up the lion's share at 65-75%.

Injury Types and Severity

70-80% of injuries in bull riding are to the upper limbs and head
Approximately 12% of bull riding injuries result in hospital admission
The most common injuries in bull riding are contusions, accounting for roughly 50% of injuries
Approximately 22% of bull riding injuries involve ligament sprains, mainly in knees and ankles
Approximately 40% of bull riding injuries result in some form of long-term disability
The average total time spent in hospital for serious bull riding injuries is approximately 4.2 days
Approximately 18% of injuries involve the eye or ocular region, underscoring the importance of eye protection
Bull riding injury severity is categorized as mild in 55% of cases, moderate in 30%, and severe in 15%
About 10% of injuries involve internal bleeding, requiring close observation and possible surgical repair

Injury Types and Severity Interpretation

Given that the vast majority of bull riding injuries target the upper limbs and head, with nearly half being contusions, and considering that over a fifth involve ligament sprains—primarily in knees and ankles—it's clear that while bull riding may be thrilling, it's also a high-stakes game for your limbs and noggin, often leading to long-term disability, hospital stays averaging over four days, and sometimes even eye or internal injuries that underscore the sport's peril and the critical importance of safety measures.

Preventive Measures and Safety Equipment

The use of helmets in bull riding has increased injury prevention by approximately 40%
Use of protective vests reduces the severity of thoracic injuries by approximately 30%
Roughly 48% of bull riding injuries involve injuries to the face or jaw, highlighting the importance of protective headgear
The use of safety equipment such as vests and helmets has increased injury mitigation success by up to 50%
The use of mouthguards in bull riding is recommended but only adopted by approximately 25% of riders, reducing facial injuries by up to 40%
The likelihood of injury is higher when the rider is not wearing safety gear, with a 3-fold increase observed in studies
Studies estimate that approximately 60-70% of injuries could be prevented with improved safety practices and equipment

Preventive Measures and Safety Equipment Interpretation

While only a quarter of bull riders don mouthguards, statistics reveal that helmets and vests can cut injuries by up to half, and without such gear, riders face a threefold increase in injury risk—making safety equipment not just wise but vital for taming the bull and safeguarding the bull rider’s future.