Prior to the start of bull riding, the cowboys spend a great deal of time preparing their equipment for their upcoming rides. Much of this effort goes into preparing their bull rope (they each use their own rope) to ensure that it is as grippy as possible. During a ride, one hand holds on to the bull rope while the other, which must remain in the air for the whole 8 seconds for the ride to count, is used for balance.
For the technically inclined...
