D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 2
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The main attraction of the Bucking Horse Sale are the
bucking horses themselves. Bucking horses for sale or show
no longer include wild horses, as the sale of wild horses was
prohibited in 1971. Instead, the horses have either been
equines too ornery for a life of racing and ranching or se-
lectively bred for the demands of the bucking horse circuit.
According to expert John Moore, a horse cannot be trained
to buck.
"The flank strap does not make a horse buck," he says very
seriously in an interview with MTN cable talk show That's
Montana. "The buck comes outta the heart. They either buck
or they don't."
Crowds gather to watch the young cowboys try to stay on
the bucking horses, and performers do not disappoint. En-
ticed by the possibility of a paycheck and title, the riders don
their best gear and head into the ring to compete; their only
respite is during the between-rounds rodeo clown shows.
Attendees should undoubtedly make time to enjoy these in-
credible displays of horsemanship and bull riding.
I would be remiss to not mention the tradeshow and street
dances, as both are significant social aspects of the Bucking
Horse Sale. Sundry goods and items from near and far can
be found for sale at the tradeshow, and you're sure to see a
friendly face or two among the crowds. The variety of local ar-
