Give Rodeo a Chance: Insight Into the Animal Welfare Debate

 False information about rodeo is everywhere, and it displays rodeo in a negative light. Often times, people's negative portrayal of rodeo and its practices come from a lack of personal experience or knowledge on the sports that make up rodeo. While it is understandable how an outside perspective could skew rodeo's image, we feel as though the people and the practices within the rodeo community speak for themselves.

    What evidence may lead others to see the benign and caring nature that rodeo participants have towards the animals?

    While it may seem unlikely to some, people who are involved in rodeo, especially those who have grown up in the rodeo world, view the animals the same way that people view their pets or children. The animals are the backbone of the sport and in order for riders, sponsors, rodeo organizations or fans to get the most out of the sport, the animals need to be in the best possible condition. For example, an article published in Tri-State Livestock News on the treatment of animals during the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Vegas talks about the special treatment that the  bucking horses receive to make sure they are happy and healthy. For example, an excerpt from the article states, "'We don't do things the easiest way, we do what's best for the animals'...The animals' welfare is the most important thing. 'The key thing I learned years ago is we do everything possible to help the animal perform to the best of their ability. Whatever it takes, it takes'"(Nicolaus, 2022). This excerpt is just one example of how people in the rodeo community place the animals' health, safety and well-being above all else. The rodeo community just simply wants to show outsiders, especially animal rights activists, that they care about the animals just as much as they do.

 What is to protect the animals from injury during practices or rodeo?

    It would be unrealistic to say that rodeo animals never get injured, as this is a part of every sport. Athletes get hurt and there is no getting around that, but the rodeo community goes through extensive measures to make sure this happens as little as possible. In 2001, the American Veterinary Medical Association conducted a survey of PRCA rodeos (Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association). This survey showed that on average, only approximately 0.00041% of animals get injured while performing. A lot of this can be attributed to the special precautions taken at rodeos to protect the animals, many of which are listed in the PRCA Livestock Rules that must be followed at any PRCA sanctioned event. For example, out of the more than 60 rules listed, one rule states that "A veterinarian must be on-site at all PRCA sanctioned rodeos"(PRCA, n.d.). This is a necessary rule, as contestants and rodeo staff want to make sure that every animal receives the care they deserve and receive immediate medical attention if necessary. Many organizations also have rules that strictly state that any contestant or participant in rodeo will immediately be disqualified, sometimes even fined or banned from future rodeos, if they are caught mistreating any animal.

    Overall, animals are treated better than most professional athletes in other sports. People do everything in their power to make sure that the animals are fully cared for, as one of the main facets of rodeo is the deep respect that each and every person has for the livestock. Millions of dollars are spent every year on health and nutrition for these animals alone, as in order to be the best, the animals need to be at their best. Please take a moment to go to a rodeo and observe the practices. Talk to contestants, sponsors, stock contractors or the hosts of the rodeo and see what they have to say. It is a sure thing that once someone sees and talks to the rodeo community, they will see the immeasurable love and respect each and every person has for these amazing four-legged athletes.