Synopsis
Discusses the varieties, training, safety, work, and retirement of rodeo animals, including horses, calves, steer, and goats.
Carol Raker Collins, Ph.D. - Children's Literature
Tenth in a clever "Animals with Jobs" series, this book describes the jobs of rodeo animals. Normally, one recognizes the skill and training of people in rodeo events but overlooks the animals' skill and training. After months or years of practice with their human partners, horses are ready to fulfill key roles. In timed events, there are roping horses for either tie-down roping or team roping, in which header and heeler horses have specialized jobs. There are barrel racing horses for the women's timed event. Bucking horses are either bred as such or have proven themselves to be unbreakable. They work in roughstock saddle-riding or bareback-riding events. Calves and steers are not exactly trained but are "preconditioned" at the arenas before each event. After several rodeos, these animals know their jobs well and retire after becoming too big (normally one year). Bulls are, of course, used only in the bucking event—the most dangerous rodeo sport of all. The infamous bull Bodacious was retired in his prime because he did his job too well, causing the most famous rider on the circuit in 1995 to have his face reconstructed with titanium plates. In spite of the dangers of rodeo sports, apparently there are events for all ages to compete in (see the list of "Organizations to Contact"). Notes, glossary, index are also included. The many photos of action or training shots are quite good. For the most part, the techniques employed in the events are described clearly. 2003, KidHaven Press/Gale Group, Ages 10 up.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Tenth in a clever "Animals with Jobs" series, this book describes the jobs of rodeo animals. Normally, one recognizes the skill and training of people in rodeo events but overlooks the animals' skill and training. After months or years of practice with their human partners, horses are ready to fulfill key roles. In timed events, there are roping horses for either tie-down roping or team roping, in which header and heeler horses have specialized jobs. There are barrel racing horses for the women's timed event. Bucking horses are either bred as such or have proven themselves to be unbreakable. They work in roughstock saddle-riding or bareback-riding events. Calves and steers are not exactly trained but are "preconditioned" at the arenas before each event. After several rodeos, these animals know their jobs well and retire after becoming too big (normally one year). Bulls are, of course, used only in the bucking event—the most dangerous rodeo sport of all. The infamous bull Bodacious was retired in his prime because he did his job too well, causing the most famous rider on the circuit in 1995 to have his face reconstructed with titanium plates. In spite of the dangers of rodeo sports, apparently there are events for all ages to compete in (see the list of "Organizations to Contact"). Notes, glossary, index are also included. The many photos of action or training shots are quite good. For the most part, the techniques employed in the events are described clearly. 2003, KidHaven Press/Gale Group, Ages 10 up.—Carol Raker Collins, Ph.D.