Risk factors for serious injury:
(1) inexperience of the bullfighter, banderilleros or picadors
(2) inattention or bravado on the part of the bullfighter
(3) exceptionally aggressive bull
(4) failure to inflict neck injuries that discourage the bull from raising its head
(5) lack of readily available emergency medical care (usually in small, rural arenas)
(6) intoxication or other impairments (illness, medications, etc.)
where:
• Novice bullfighters in training are referred to as a novilleros. Matadors are fully-trained bullfighters. Over half of the injuries in bullfighting are suffered by novilleros.
• Banderilleros are assistants to the bullfighter who place hooks called banderillas in the neck of the bull.
• Picadors ride padded horses and use the puya or lance.
