Anyone who's ever watched a rodeo knows it is a dangerous sport, but a researcher at the University of Calgary is gathering data that confirms just how risky it is.
As part of his research into the dangers of the popular sport, University of Calgary epidemiologist Dale Butterwick has found that bull riding is the most dangerous rodeo event.
Butterwick's research, which was released this week, ahead of the conclusion of the annual Calgary Stampede on Sunday, also found that nearly 20 out of every 100,000 rodeo riders can expect to suffer either a fatal injury or non-fatal injury that leads to permanent disability.
In comparison, the rate of such "catastrophic" injuries for football players is less than one per 100,000.
Butterwick's conclusions are based on a database he developed and has been using to track rodeo injuries over the past four years.
His hope is that the Rodeo Catastrophic Injury Registry will give a better picture of how frequently cowboys around the world are seriously hurt.
Early results from the registry suggest that the equipment rodeo riders sport is insufficient, leading Butterwick to suggest it might be a good idea for all cowboys to wear helmets in competition.
"Two the cases that were reported detailed fatalities due to head injury," Butterwick said in a 2010 news release.
"Neither of those individuals were wearing a helmet. On the flip side there were no reports of serious head trauma or death by cowboys wearing helmets in competition."
Butterwick hopes the information from the registry will lead to increased safety for rodeo riders.
