Section 8: Safety Considerations
- Assumption of risk (B1.2.4): PRCA membership includes a release of liability. Members acknowledge that participating in a PRCA-sanctioned event exposes them to substantial and serious hazards, including personal injury and death.
- Prods (R9.1.6): use of prods in bareback and saddle bronc is prohibited except for a chute-stalling horse, by agreement of the contestant, stock contractor and judge before the ride begins, and on the neck or shoulder only. In bull riding, use of the standard livestock prod is strictly prohibited once the bull is loaded in the bucking chute, except where needed for the safety of livestock, contestant or personnel as determined by a judge.
- Pickup and rider release: a rider unable to free their hand is assisted by pickup men and stock contractors (R9.4.9).
- Animal welfare in riding events: an animal that becomes sick or injured before it is competed on may be replaced after judge approval (R9.1.5). Horse flanks and/or draw flanks are not allowed in bull riding (R9.6.1.7). Bull horns must be dulled and reduced to specification (R9.6.5).
- Animal welfare in timed events: a sick or injured animal is removed from the draw and must be declared immediately if the injury is detected after the run starts (R10.3.9). Steer roping cattle injured during competition are condemned and removed from the herd (R10.9.12). Tie-down calves may not have horns exceeding 2 inches (R10.6.6).
- Box and chute: boxes are lined to protect the contestant's horse (R10.1.5), and chutes require at least 28 inches clearance (R10.1.2.2). No more than two men may be on the chute to pull a bull rope (R9.6.4), and a timed-event contestant may dismiss or have up to three persons in the box for assistance (R10.3.15).
- Interference: if arena personnel interfere with a timed event, the contestant may, at the judge's discretion, receive a rerun (R10.4.2).