The rodeo isn’t fun for the animals forced into it. Calves, steers, bulls and horses suffer psychological pain (distress) and physical pain which can range from abrasions and bruising to fractured and broken bones or even death.
Rodeos are unnatural, stressful and often harmful to animals (and humans), all for the sake of ‘entertainment’. The animals forced to participate in these events are sensitive and social individuals who are made to flee, buck and kick – and they only do so out of fear.
The animals used in rodeo events would naturally live and feel safest in a herd. During events, they are separated, confined, and then provoked in front of a crowd to perform certain behaviours associated with their fear response.
As an example, to force horses and cattle to buck, a ‘flank strap’ is often used, which is a belt tightened around their lower abdomen. The presence of the tightened belt causes them to buck in discomfort, in an effort to remove the strap.
Perhaps the worst cruelty at rodeos is calf roping (also known as rope-and-tie), where frightened calves are chased by a person riding a horse, then brought to a jolting stop with a rope around their necks and wrestled to the ground.
A recent scientific study found high levels of fear and distress in calves at all stages of the calf roping event. Co-authored by RSPCA and the University of Sydney, video footage was used to analyse the experience of the calf.
Cattle are prey species, and they're very good at masking pain, or any signs of distress because it attracts predators... So when you see or hear signs such as bellowing, it's really indicating there's a significant problem happening.
This cruel ‘event’ has already been stopped in Victoria and South Australia, where a minimum weight rule has effectively banned the use of calves, but calves continue to suffer in other states across the country.
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Rodeo events are fast losing their social license because of the obvious cruelty that they cause animals. Join compassionate people across Australia, and the globe, who are saying ‘no’ to the rodeo and instead choosing kindness.
Education ends cruelty.
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