Rodeos exist to perpetuate myth. The myth of ‘cowboys’ doing it tough on the land; the myth of dangerous, wild animals in need of being broken by Man; the myth of skill, bravery and honour on the part of the participants in these sanguinary rituals.

The animals used in rodeos are neither wild nor untamed, they have to be goaded by cruel means such as flank straps, prods and spurs into desired behaviours such as bucking. Animals suffer constant injury as a result of this torment; the ones who must be put down are taken away by the so called animal ambulance and given lethal injections away from the spectators’ view. Some die during the ‘performance’.

The animals that live through multiple performances (indeed some are used for years on end) suffer much the same fate as circus animals. Transported for long distances in trucks, almost always through hot, arid conditions and kept in unsuitable, temporary enclosures during their stays at events or festivals. Rodeos are supposed to use contract stock, that is, animals who are used to handling and the rodeo environment. However, in more remote areas organisers may use any animals that are locally available. Rodeos are stressful for all animals, but even more so for non-contract stock who are unused to handling. It should also be noted that the attendance of a veterinarian is not compulsory at Queensland rodeos.

Why then, is this ‘entertainment’ tolerated around the world? Simply, it isn’t. For example, rodeos have been banned on cruelty grounds in the UK since 1934. They have also been outlawed in many European countries and even some American states (rodeos originated in America). (1)

Most Australian rodeos are held in Queensland – this is very much a local issue.

Some of the ritual at a typical rodeo:

Calf/steer roping
Contestants on horseback must rope a calf (usually within 30 seconds), dismount and throw the calf, then any three of its hooves must be tied together and held for five seconds. (1)

Injuries caused by the force of lassoing and jerking to a halt, then being thrown, include tearing or stretching of ligaments, disc rupture, damage to the thymus gland, trachea and subcutaneous tissue and haemorrhaging. Calves can suffer broken legs, even broken necks. In an attempt to reduce trauma to calves the Australian Professional Rodeo Association (APRA) voluntary Code of Practice have introduced a weight range of 110 kilograms to 130 kilograms for calves used in such events. However, as Dr Hugh Wirth of RSPCA Australia says “…there is no body weight you can enact that will stop the cruelty associated with calf roping.” (3)

Steers are usually required to be roped within 90 seconds. Injuries include bruising, broken limbs and horns, as well as stress caused by the brutal handling. Injuries in this event can cause an animal to be destroyed (out of sight of the crowd).

Team Roping
In this event two riders rope a horned steer, one at the head and the other at the hind legs, again usually in a maximum of 90 seconds. The difficulties of two riders roping simultaneously may lead to the steer being pulled in different directions at the same time. (1)

Steer Wrestling or Bulldogging
The contestant must jump off the horse and grab the steer or bull by the horns, stopping it and twisting its neck to bring it down. The animal can sustain broken and splintered horns in this event. Neck twisting can cause considerable pain and also spinal injury. This event is banned in Texas, USA because it is regarded as too dangerous for the steer. (1)

Bucking Events
In all bucking events it is the aim of the rider to stay on the animal for 8 seconds after it has been released from the chute. Horses are ridden with either a saddle and lead rope or with only a girth strap and handle to hold on to (bareback). For bulls a rope is pulled around the girth. All horses and bulls buck because of the flank strap that has been pulled tightly around their groin. These animals do not buck because they are wild or mean.

In fact in an experiment by the Humane Society (US) two gentle horses bucked when a flank strap was applied and rodeo horses did not buck when there was no flank strap. (2)

To further increase bucking contestants are allowed to wear spurs with rowels (star shaped wheels). For horses they are supposed to be loose so they roll, but for bulls they are allowed to lock so they provide more ‘grip’ on the bulls skin.

Some Tools of the Trade

Flank Strap
Animals forced to perform in rodeos buck only because of the use of a flank strap. As the name implies this is a strap fitting tightly around the animal’s flanks (just in front of the hind legs). The flank strap is pulled extremely tight by a rodeo hand standing above the chute just as the horse or bull exits. At the very least the strap is a severe annoyance as it applied pressure to the sensitive lumbar nerves, the inguinal canal area and frequently the prepuce of the male animal. For the less medically minded, this is akin to a strap being pulled tightly up a mans groin – with hands restrained so that he cannot loosen or remove the strap. The frantic, panicked thrashing which would inevitably ensue in a man, are in fact analogous to the bucking of a horse or bull. Contrary to popular belief, these animals are almost never ‘wild’ and buck not because of the rider’s presence, but because of this and other cruel devices and methods. Animals invariably stop bucking as soon as the strap is released.

Electric or Cattle Prod
A prod delivering a brief but brutally powerful shock of electricity is almost invariably used to further goad the animals into action. These prods are said to deliver between 5000-6000 volts of electricity (at a low current). However, its use and design are not moderated or checked in any way. The use of electric prods is particularly prevalent in bull riding events. The APRA Code of Practice says that electric prods should not be routinely used, but observations at country rodeos show that they are.

Spurs
Spurs of varying size and type are used in all bareback riding contests. Although often blunt they still inflict constant pain and cause quite severe localised bruising. Locking spurs are used on bulls to provide the rider with extra ‘grip’ on the animal.

To simply wait for the current generation of rodeo ‘performers’ and spectators to die out, as the vestiges of a bygone era is futile. Children are very often seen in rodeo crowds. These children like what they see and are being groomed to become the future ‘performers’ and spectators.

In the words of an Australian rodeo organiser: “We’re trying to promote it as a sport…good family fun!”. Indeed.

What can you do?
• If rodeos are held in your local area, write to your Local Council and call for a ban.
• Write letters to your local newspapers explaining why they should be banned.
• Contact your local Animal Liberation office (or other animal rights organization) for assistance in contacting your local council or with information on why rodeos should be banned.