Was Your Successful Mechanical Bull Ride a Sign You Should Ride a Real Bull?

Are you feeling confident about hopping on a wild bull because you set the new record at a local bar for longest time on the mechanical bull? Think again. According to professional bull riders and rodeo fanatics at private boarding schools and elsewhere, riding a mechanical bull is completely different than taking on a real bull.

Despite obvious reasons, such as having a nice cushiony matt to fall on when you are thrown off, the overall experience differs quite a bit. So before you hit the next PBR tour, you might want to take a couple things into consideration.

Basically, the only similarities between real bull riding and mechanical bull riding is the fact that they both involve movement on a large body. Some may argue that the movements are similar to the bulls’ used at rodeos, but experts and coaches at private boarding schools know they are no more than an imitation.

What you have to remember is that these mechanical bulls are mechanical, meaning each and every moment was chosen and programmed. They are being controlled — so to speak. When it comes to a real, mean-mugging bull, there’s no telling what it’s going to do.

Each bull — real bull — runs differently, kicks differently and most importantly bucks differently. The inhibition to be wild and crazy can result in an unpredictable ride. This is nothing like a mechanical bull, whether you’re on the highest “bucking” level there is or if you hit the tequila shots too hard before hand.

So yes, the ride is vastly differently between the two, but let’s not forget the before and after. 

Picture this. It’s time to ride a mechanical bull. So you climb on, get situated and someone pushes start. Now imagine real bull riding at PBR tours. It’s time for a bull riding competition and that 2,000-pound animal is already moving before you even get on it. The kids at private boarding schools are suddenly very grateful they stick to roping.

Not to mention, you have to wait in the chute until the gates open and all hell breaks lose. Let’s just say, it’s a little bit different then pushing play.

Now, what’s going to happen when you fall off? In real bull riding at, not only are you thrown onto hard ground, but also the bull is still running around. Meaning, you are at risk of being kicked, trampled and ran over in front of your admiring fans from private boarding schools. Now there’s a real adrenaline rush for you.

So, whether you’re feeling extra confident about your bull riding skills after riding a mechanical one, or if you think it would be a good training device for real bull riding, consider the differences.

Alyssa Koenig is an academic writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Wasatch Academy. Follow on Twitter.