~Animal Welfare~

There has been a lot of controversy over whether or not animals used in rodeos are treated humanely. People supporting animal rights have the right to question the safety of rodeo animals, but the PRCA has welfare guidlines that set standards for the equipment and handling of animals that prevent mistreatment. There are more than 60 rules regulating the care, treatment, and shipment of these animals. A veterinarian is required to be present at all PRCA rodeo performaces. The PRCA's guidlines for animal welfare have even been recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. An AMVM position statement was quoted as saying, "The AMVM recommends that all rodeos abide by the rules to ensure the humane treatment of rodeo livestock, such as those established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association..."

What is a Flank Strap?

The flank strap is a fleece-lined strip of leather placed behind a horses rib cage in the flank area. The strap enhances the bucking action, but does not hurt the animal. The PRCA have rules that strictly regulate the use of the strap, such as that it must have a quick release buckle. There are no sharp objects in the belt poking or cutting the animal. Veterinarians have testified that the flank strap causes no harm to the animals. Since the ribs cover the internal organs, they are not harmed either.

Then why do they buck?

The answer is simple: instinct. It has to be in a horse's nature to buck and the animal can not be forced to buck with a flank strap.

How does the PRCA ensure that the animals are healthy?

In riding events such as bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding, spurs with dull rowels (the star shaped wheels on spurs) are used. These rowels are about an eighth of an inch thick so they won't cut the animal. If a rider uses non-regulation spurs he or she is disqualified from the competition and therefore unable to win the prize money, and that is the last thing a cowboy or cowgirl wants to do! In equine events, the rowels must be loose so that they roll over the horse's hide. Bull riding spurs differ somewhat in that the rowels are loosely locked to provide more of a grip on the animals loose hide. People must understand that horses and bulls hides are much thicker than a human's. A person's skin is between 1 to 2 millimeters thick whereas a bull hide is about 7 millimeters thick. The spurs used at PRCA rodeos only ruffle the hair.

Are professional rodeo animals injured often?

A 1993-94 survey conducted at 28 PRCA rodeos show that the injury rate of rodeo animals was so low that it was negligible. The exact count was only 16 out of 33,991 injured. That is less than five hundredths of 1 percent or less than 1 in 2000 animals. Mistreatment of livestock at professional rodeos is almost unheard of. People accused of mistreatment are immediately disqualified and are charged a $250 fine, and w ith the thousands of dollars at stake, cowboys don't want to take that chance.

Back to Cowgirl Heaven