J.B. Mauney made a name for himself doing what few would dare, staring down 2,000 pounds of raw power and hoping to hold on for eight seconds that felt like a lifetime. Known as one of the toughest competitors in professional bull riding, Mauney built a legacy on grit, resilience, and an unshakable sense of determination.
But these days, life looks a little different.
The roar of the crowd may not follow him every night anymore, but he hasn’t stepped away from the sport that built him. These days, the pace is steadier and split between ranch life and staying close to the world of bull riding that still runs deep in his veins.
At the center of it all … his family, his basset hound, Larry, and Tano, his Rhodesian Ridgeback. And the newest addition to the family, a mixed small breed dog, Casino.
A Different Kind of Companionship
Today, as J.B. Mauney focuses on family life, mentoring young riders, and building his ranch operation at Bucktown, that same sense of trust has taken on a quieter, more constant form.
“Dogs don’t care about the wins or losses,” he shared. “They’re just there. Every day.”
It’s a different kind of animal companionship that doesn’t require eight seconds of perfection. Whether it’s early mornings, long days, or quiet evenings, his dogs have become a steady, loyal throughline in a life that used to be anything but predictable.
Life After the Arena
Stepping away from a bull riding career defined by adrenaline isn’t easy. There’s an adjustment that comes with trading chaos for calm and noise for stillness. But Mauney has embraced it in his own way by leaning into the things that ground him.
Time outdoors. Time with family. And, of course, time with his dogs.
“I’ve spent most of my life on the road or in the bucking chute, so when I’m home, it’s the simple stuff that really hits different,” added Mauney. “Firing up the grill, being outside, just slowing down a bit. And, in those moments, the dogs are always right there like they’ve been waiting on that moment, too.”
It’s a different pace, but not a lesser one.
Mealtime, But Make It Meaningful
Life tends to slow down in the moments spent with a man’s best friend. Whether you’ve lived under the pressure of packed arenas or you’re simply enjoying a quiet evening grilling at home, that sense of companionship feels universally familiar. For Mauney, those moments are no longer the in-between. They’re part of the main event.
Of course, if there’s one moment dogs know best: it’s mealtime. That anticipation and unwavering focus.
It’s why giving them a meal they love matters.