Families
Rodeo with kids: mutton bustin'
What children can do and see at the Saturday night rodeo in Bulverde: mutton bustin' rules, the calf scramble, safety gear and what the sport's history says.
Book a rodeo night ↗Quick answer
Tejas Rodeo calls its Saturday night rodeo family-friendly. Children aged four to seven and under 55 pounds can enter mutton bustin' online in advance, with helmets and vests provided, and the ticket says children can join in the calf scramble. Mutton bustin' is entered separately from rodeo admission, and spots are limited.
What mutton bustin' is
Mutton busting is an event held at rodeos, similar to bull riding or bronc riding, in which children ride or race sheep. A sheep is held still, either in a small chute or by an adult handler, while a child is placed on top. Once the child is seated, the sheep is released and usually starts to run in an attempt to get the child off. Small prizes or ribbons are often given to the children who stay on longest, and the majority of children fall off in less than eight seconds.
The Tejas rules
At Tejas, riders are aged four to seven and must be under 55 pounds, and children are weighed at check-in. Helmets and vests are provided. All entries are made online in advance, and there are a limited number of spots each night. The venue runs two sections: one in the pre-show and one in the rodeo performance, and it may move a child between them depending on the number of entries. The entry is separate from admission, so rodeo admission must be bought separately.
The calf scramble
The calf scramble comes after mutton bustin' in the order of events that Tejas publishes. The ticket's highlights say children can join in on the calf scramble. The venue's site gives no detail beyond the name, so a parent who wants to know the age range for the scramble should read the booking page before the day. What the order shows is that the two children's events sit in the middle of the main performance, between team roping and the roping events that follow.
History and a note of caution
Mutton busting was first introduced at a ranch rodeo in Alberta, Canada, in the early 1960s, as an event to keep younger children from riding rougher stock. Supporters see it as a way to introduce young children to the adult rough stock events. Organizations such as the ASPCA discourage it on the grounds that it does not promote kindness to, or respect of, animals, and some places have banned the practice. Parents should weigh that before entering a child. The same article records that there are no set rules and no national organization, so each venue's own safety rules, such as the weight limit and helmets at Tejas, are the ones that apply.
Other family details
The venue says the arena, seating and dance floor are covered but open-air, and that blankets are welcome in cooler months. It allows leashed dogs, and the grounds are not paved, The ticket is listed as wheelchair accessible. The venue's FAQ calls the spectator's night an action-packed rodeo with real cowboys and cowgirls, followed by live music and dancing, with entertainment for everyone. The Smokehouse and Mercado walk-up concessions let families eat at picnic tables or in the stands without a restaurant booking, and the shop on the grounds sells Western wear. Check-in for mutton bustin' is at the Photo Bull, and the ticket also names a life-size, stuffed bucking bull as a place for photographs.
Who this isn't for
A child under four, a child over 55 pounds, or a family that did not enter online in advance cannot ride in mutton bustin' at Tejas, though they can still watch. A family uncomfortable with animals used in competition should choose another evening. Parents of very young children should also note that the performance is an arena show with crowds, animals and a live band afterwards, so it is a long evening for a toddler.
Frequently asked questions
How old must a child be to ride?
Four to seven years old, and under 55 pounds, weighed at check-in.
Is a helmet provided?
Yes. Helmets and vests are provided.
Can I enter on the night?
No. The venue says all entries are online, in advance, with a limited number of spots.
Sources