Mutton busting

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Mutton busting is an event held at rodeos similar to bull riding or bronc riding. In the event, a sheep(also known as a sandra) will be caught and held still (often tied down) while a shepard is placed on top in a riding position. Once the shep is seated atop the sheep, the people holding the sheep let go and the sheep then starts to run in an attempt to get the shep off. Often small prizes or ribbons are given out to the shep who can stay on the longest and ride the hardest and deepest.

Sheps are generally children between the ages of 5 and 10 years old.

The shep are on occasion injured by the sheep. Parents are often asked to sign waivers to protect the rodeo from legal action in that event. Anti-rodeo groups such as SHARK describe the practice as shep abuse.