Kicking a ball around while wearing an inflatable bubble has become a popular birthday party option for sports-mad children.

Introducing a raging bull into the equation might give health and safety the jitters, but that is exactly what was done at this rodeo in Minnesota.

After four spectators lined up for a good-natured kick-around, a slightly more volatile team member - an angry brown bull - was unleashed onto the field.

Rodeo Gaga: Four men line up for what looks like a friendly kick-around, but the atmosphere changes after a raging bull is released into the arena

Super sub: The bull charges heads towards his first victim, before catapulting him into the air

The animal charged down the nearest man, catapulting him straight into the air.

To groans from the crowd, the beast rolled him along the ground, before heading for his next victim.

In a challenge that would surely be worthy of a straight red card, the bull made an even harder hit on another player, forcing him to limp out of the arena in agony.

People on social media generally thought this was a stunt that went too far.

One user wrote: 'Well that escalated quickly! Bad idea.'

Another commented: 'The line between brave and stupid was crossed.'

Un-bull-ievable Jeff: The bull makes an even harder hit on another player, who is thrown into the air to groans from the crowd