Rodeo Pick Up Men are vital to the safety of the cowboy.  A Pick Up Man's job is to rescue the cowboy after his eight second ride from a bucking bronc.  The cowboy's job is to first ride the bucking bronc for the eight second ride with one hand, then grab on with two hands and wait until the Pick Up Man rides in along side the bronc and picks him up and they ride off to safety.  The cowboy then is easily set down to the ground without injury.  The Pick Up Man's job is also to remove all equipment from the bronc and to remove the bronc from the rodeo arena after the competition.    Pick Up Men also play a role in the calf roping and steer wrestling events, by roping calves and steers after competion and gentling coaxing them out of the arena.   Pick Up Men are also a vital part of keeping the show fast paced.  Pick Up Men have a great rapport with the livestock and have years of training in horsemanship. 

This photo below show a saddle bronc rider who has fallen before the 8 second whistle.  The Pick Up Men are not allow to assist the cowboy until the 8 second whistle sounds.   

This photo below show the Pick Up riding along side a bucking bronc to remove equipment. The cowboy has already been helped to the ground.

 Pick Up Men are excellent with a rope.  Ropes are needed at times to coax livestock from the arena