Hey, Big Boy, What's Up?

As the weather turns colder and snowier, I've been thinking about what stock contractors might do differently in winter, to keep their bucking bulls warm, safe and healthy.  So, without turning to the National Weather Service for minute by minute reports, I decided to contact some PBR Stock Contractors and see what they do differently in winter, and find out what some of their star bucking bulls have been doing since the PBR World Finals in October.  What fun it's been finding out about these great bulls!

To start our journey around the country, let's head west from CT to Ohio and check in with K-C Bucking Bulls.  Owner Cristy McElroy was kind enough to send me some pictures and give me this update on her and husband Kenny's herd of bucking bulls.

"The bulls really have been just relaxing since the Finals.  We like to give them the month of November off, just to be bulls.  Now that we know we are going to New York, their training will start back up.  Last weekend we took them to a bull riding and will take them again December 14th.  They will start getting exercised in our bull walker and [King] Lopez gets exercised by horseback, in his field. "

Cristy shared with me that "ALTERCATION is getting another chance in New York, so we've been really working with him in the chute and he's done great!"  Photo courtesy of Cristy McElroy

K-C's bull barn.  Cristy mentioned that "this week is our deer gun season so we've had the bulls in the back pastures, up by the barn."  Photo courtesy of Cristy McElroy

K-C's super star bull, ROCK & ROLL enjoying his hay, comfy and protected in his stall.   Photo courtesy of Cristy McElroy

Cristy continued, "As far as preparing for the winter, every water tank on our place has heaters placed in them.  The bulls have to have fresh water for them to have proper nutrition.  We found if the water is too cold or frozen, they won't drink enough.  They love their warm water.  We also increase their hay intake.  We don't increase their grain but we do increase alfalfa pellets.  During the spring and summer, the bulls that stay outside don't get hay because they have good grass.  But come winter, everyone gets hay.  The winter is when we do our vaccines.  They all get pneumonia shots and other vaccines.  They will all get their feet trimmed and horns dressed up.  Before [the trip to] New York, we will also enclose our trailer before we haul them."

MISSISSIPPI HIPPY, K-C's biggest bull doesn't get extra feed...he gets the most already!

And of course I had to include a photo of my bull crush, KING LOPEZ.  He gets exercised separately, in his field. Hmmm...there's that "NOT a people person" thing again...or is it not a "fellow bull person" either!

Next we turn south, and head down to Louisiana, for a visit with Circle T Ranch's ASTEROID!

ASTEROID visiting with me in Las Vegas.  I was whispering to him, that he should buck hard and turf any cowboys that get on him!

 Jeff Talley, owner of Circle T Ranch kindly filled me in on Asteroid's year.  "Asteroid has been in his turnout and resting up.  This was a pretty tough year on him.  He gets a little exercise when we move him from pen to pen, but for the most part we just let him be a normal bull for now.  That's also what we do with all the other bulls.  It seems to help after a pretty rigorous year, to give them a chance to be normal for a time.  They are all kept in turn outs, individually.  We do mix a few but not many of them.  Our winters are pretty mild too, so on cold days and nights, they have places to get out of the wind and rain, but everything else is just the same routine for each one.  These bulls are kept with alot of care while they are on the road but we keep their routine the same.  Feeding, hay, and water all come at the same time, whether we're on the road or at home.  That seems to help them more than anything."


From Louisiana, we'll take a drive west to Texas, and check in with Kent Cox.

BUSHWACKER enjoying the sunshine and his space in Las Vegas.  The reigning World Champ has been on vacation in California since the Finals.

"We pretty much stay on the same routine, year round.  The only thing I do different, when it gets really cold, is I will feed more hay, and how much more depends on the weather" says Kent.   He also added that Bushwacker will come back to Texas next week.


From Texas, we'll have a long drive up to the Pacific Northwest, and visit Wentz Bucking Bulls in Washington.

BUCKEY will be turning 10 this year!  Craig tells me that "based on his health, conformation and no past injuries, we do plan on hauling him to some events."

According to Craig Wentz, "winter time we increase the intake a bit for colder weather.  The bulls on pasture get a supplement and [we] make sure that all have access to clean, fresh water.  We try and do some hoof maintenance, if we have any.  We introduce some of the younger bulls, getting them in [to] the herd.  And, it's a good time for us to vaccinate and worm.  I will use an injectable wormer this time of year."


The final leg of our journey is east to North Dakota, and a visit with Chad Berger Bucking Bulls in Mandan.  Sadie Berger, who works for and with her Dad, helped me out with information from their ranch.  Sadie explained, "there are several things we do differently with the bulls in the winter.  We set up wind breaks around the shelters, that we have already built.  We also put out straw for them to lay on and help keep them warm.  Of course the weather is much different, but living here the bulls have come accustom to the cold climates and their bodies have adjusted, to handle the conditions.  We do have to keep a better eye on the bulls and make sure they are feeling good and moving well.  I like to go on walks in the mornings and then I will walk in their pens and get them moving around and see how they feel.  We are so blessed to have such good help at our place that always makes sure our animals are in good health, when they are busy doing other things.  Dad and I have been busy with cattle sales for the past few months, so it's great that we have such trustworthy and hard-working people that take great care of the bulls and other cattle at the place."

SMACKDOWN, Sadie adds "has been enjoying his time off and he gets to hang out with some of his best buds.  Right now we have been letting him rest and take it easy after an outstanding Finals!  I think he deserved it.  We are so very proud of him at the Finals and JB [Mauney] winning the round on him was just perfect."

Some of SMACKDOWN's ranch mates.  In this photo you can see one of the shelters set up for the bull's protection, and also the wide open pens the Berger Bucking Bulls enjoy.

I found it extremely interesting, the differences and similarities in each stock contractors care plan.  I was so happy to hear that all of these spectacular bulls are enjoying themselves just being bulls and resting up.  They all deserve the great care they receive and it is a pleasure to hear how much these stock contractors appreciate and care for these animals.  It won't be too much longer before the PBR season starts up...28 days to be exact...(but who's counting?) and these bulls will be on the road again.

My sincerest thanks and gratitude goes out to Cristy McElroy, Jeff Talley, Kent Cox, Craig Wentz and Sadie Berger.  I appreciate each one, for taking some time out of their busy lives to share some thoughts with me, about their star bucking bulls.  Can't wait to see them all in action in 2014!



Unless noted, all photographs by Susan Hanrahan