News

Ogden rodeo medical crews assist riders, keep spectators safe

Leia Larsen

07/26/2016

July 25--OGDEN -- From bucking hooves to 100-degree heat, there's plenty at Ogden Pioneer Days' Rodeo to keep medical crews on their toes.

An Intermountain Healthcare crew of one sports medicine doctor, two resident doctors, one athletic trainer and one physical therapist, along with a team of Ogden City paramedics, stay vigilant through the week-long Pioneer Days celebration to keep both rodeo competitors and spectators safe. It's a tough job at times, but the medics say the venue makes it all worthwhile.

"I've worked for Ogden City for 22 years, and I've tried to come here every year I can. It's a great rodeo," said Robert Robertson, captain with Ogden City Fire.

The paramedic crews mostly assist with injuries in the crowd. The most common thing they see is heat exhaustion, along with the occasional kid's bloody nose. The Intermountain Healthcare staff, however, aids the cowboys and cowgirls in the arena. They see a much broader array of injuries, but nothing too serious so far.

"Over the last 12 years, we've only had one or two major incidents -- a couple of broken ankles, one broken arm, nothing really catastrophic by any means," said Scott Hayes, Intermountain Healthcare's outreach coordinator.

Rodeo riders are a more stubborn stock than other athletes the medical team sees. They often refuse medical care even after bad falls and painful injuries.

"Cowboys don't like to let their other competitors know they're injured," Hayes said. "For some reason, just the lifestyle the cowboys have of 'Be tough, suck it up, work hard and get the payoff' really doesn't fit the city lifestyle of 'If I'm sick, I'll go see a doctor.'"

During a pre-event medical briefing session, Hayes warned staff to hang around after the rodeo because injured competitors often only seek help after their peers have left. The most common injuries to rodeo athletes include crushed hands or ankle issues after a fall or dismount. When they see a rider go down and sense a potential injury, they'll ask if the competitor needs help.

"If they say they're OK we just leave them, even if we can visibly see there's an injury. They really like to cowboy up, for lack of a better word," Hayes said. "It's always you're choice whether you seek medical treatment or not."

Joe Harper, a saddle bronc rider from Nevada, tore a ligament in his right arm while riding in May, but he hasn't stopped riding. Now he competes with nearly his entire arm bandaged. But he said cowboys are used to taking a lot of abuse compared to other athletes.

"It's not unusual to see guys riding with injuries that would put you on the sideline in other sports," Harper said. "Some of these guys are too tough or stupid or whatever you want to say."

Medic staff at the rodeo usually see around two acute injuries each night, Hayes said. By the time the pre-rodeo started Friday evening, staff had already assisted around 10 athletes, evaluating injuries or helping them tape and stretch.

All said, though, Hayes said rodeos aren't as dangerous as many people think. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association officials constantly check and inspect riders and livestock to keep the event running safely and smoothly.

"I still think to get on a bull or a horse, you have to be a little crazy. But truly, they take a lot of precautions," Hayes said.

Visuals Reporter Ben Zack contributed to this report. Contact Reporter Leia Larsen at 801-625-4289 or llarsen@standard.net. Follow her on Facebook.com/leiaoutside or on Twitter @LeiaLarsen.