Editing Rodeo (section)

==Animal treatment controversies==
{{See also|Animal treatment in rodeo}}
Protests were first raised regarding rodeo [[cruelty to animals|animal cruelty]] in the 1870s, and, beginning in the 1930s, some states enacted laws curtailing rodeo activities and other events involving animals. In the 1950s, the then Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA, later the PRCA) worked with the American Humane Association (AHA) to establish regulations protecting the welfare of rodeo animals that were acceptable to both organizations. The PRCA realized that public education regarding rodeo and the welfare of animals was needed to keep the sport alive.<ref>[[#CITEREFWestermeier1947|Westermeier]]: 435ff</ref>

Over the years, conditions for animals in rodeo and many other sporting events improved. Today, the PRCA and other rodeo sanctioning organizations have stringent regulations to ensure rodeo [[animal welfare|animals' welfare]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Duncan|first=Joyce|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hAifpef8QYoC&pg=PA313|title=Sport in American Culture: From Ali to X-games|date=2004|page=313|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-57607-024-6|language=en|access-date=2020-09-26|archive-date=2021-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928113301/https://books.google.com/books?id=hAifpef8QYoC&pg=PA313|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.prorodeo.com/animal_welfare.aspx?xu=3 PRCA Animal welfare] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608030150/http://www.prorodeo.com/animal_welfare.aspx?xu=3 |date=2008-06-08 }}</ref> For example, these rules require, among other things, provisions for injured animals, a veterinarian's presence at all rodeos (a similar requirement exists for other equine events), padded flank straps, horn protection for steers, and [[spur]]s with dulled, free-spinning rowels. Rodeo competitors in general value and provide excellent care to the animals with which they work.{{sfn|Miller|Lamb|2005|pp=135–144}} Animals must also be protected with fleece-lined flank straps for bucking stock and horn wraps for roping steers.<ref name="AVMA2000">{{cite journal|last1=Korioth|first1=Tricia|title=Welfare of equids ever-evolving|url=http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb00/s020100a.asp|journal=Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association|access-date=19 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630053351/http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb00/s020100a.asp|archive-date=June 30, 2012|date=February 1, 2000|volume=216|issue=3|pages=319–22|pmid=10755881}}</ref>

Laws governing rodeo vary widely. In the American west, some states incorporate the regulations of the PRCA into their statutes as a standard by which to evaluate if animal cruelty has occurred.<ref>[http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/45/8/45-8-211.htm Section 45-8-211(4)(c),  Montana Code Annotated 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227155232/http://data.opi.mt.gov/bills/mca/45/8/45-8-211.htm |date=2009-02-27 }}</ref> On the other hand, some events and practices are restricted or banned in other states, including California, Rhode Island, and Ohio.{{sfn|Curnutt|2001|}}{{rp|268–269}} [[St. Petersburg, Florida]] is the only locality in the United States with a complete ban on rodeo.{{sfn|Curnutt|2001|}}{{rp|268–269}} Canadian Humane Societies are careful in criticizing Canadian rodeo as the event has become so indigenous to Western Canada that criticism may jeopardize support for the organization's other humane goals. The Calgary Humane Society itself is wary of criticizing the famous [[Calgary Stampede]].{{sfn|Armstrong|Botzler|2003|p=}} Internationally rodeo itself is banned in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands,<ref name="vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca"/> and other European nations have placed restrictions on certain practices.{{Citation needed|date=November 2019}}<!--Germany may ban tiedown roping, needs cite-->

However, a number of [[Humane Society|humane]] and [[animal rights]] organizations have policy statements that oppose many rodeo practices and often the events themselves. Some also claim that regulations vary from vague to ineffective and are frequently violated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000276 |title=is a point-by-point examination of the PRCA's regulations |publisher=Sharkonline.org |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102192237/http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000276 |url-status=live }}</ref> Other groups assert that any regulation still allows rodeo animals to be subjected to gratuitous harm for the sake of entertainment, and therefore rodeos should be banned altogether.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hsvma.org/rodeos_inherent_cruelty_to_animals|title=Rodeos: Inherent Cruelty to Animals|website=www.hsvma.org|access-date=2017-12-11|archive-date=2017-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212031424/http://www.hsvma.org/rodeos_inherent_cruelty_to_animals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|url=http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/midatlapp1&div=9&g_sent=1&casa_token=YbXn4OgzrX8AAAAA:DfuBJK4SozFyxVmywDTOVWP6rQqjbVnhKXztXntiYBqZni8AsQzEue4B1GjBHT0H_O_9REd3&collection=journals|title=Toros, Steers, Ropes, Capes, and Cowboy Boots: The Inhumane Nature of Bullfighting and Rodeos Note|first=Jared|last=Kaplan|date=21 June 2018|journal=Mid-Atlantic Journal on Law and Public Policy|volume=1|pages=52–95|via=HeinOnline|access-date=28 September 2021|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123182005/https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals%2Fmidatlapp1&div=9&g_sent=1&casa_token=YbXn4OgzrX8AAAAA%3ADfuBJK4SozFyxVmywDTOVWP6rQqjbVnhKXztXntiYBqZni8AsQzEue4B1GjBHT0H_O_9REd3&collection=journals|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/cruel-sports/rodeos/|title=Rodeos|website=peta.org|date=24 June 2010|access-date=11 December 2017|archive-date=11 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171211161011/https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/cruel-sports/rodeos/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In response to these concerns, a number of cities and states, mostly in the eastern half of the United States, have passed ordinances and laws governing rodeo. [[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], for example, specifically prohibits electric prods or shocking devices, wire tie-downs, and sharpened or fixed spurs or rowels. It also previously prohibited flank straps. Pittsburgh also requires humane officers be provided access to any and all areas where animals may go—specifically pens, chutes, and injury pens. However, the ban on rodeo events has been at least partially lifted, since the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) held an event in Pittsburgh in January 2025. A flank strap is used on every [[bucking bull]] that performs in the PBR. It is a soft cotton rope tied relatively loosely around the haunches of the bull, used to encourage a genetically pre-disposed bucking bull to kick. A licensed veterinarian is present at all PBR events.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bull riding returns to Pittsburgh: Ban lifted, animal treatment controversy continues|url=https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-bull-riding-ban-return-controversy/62979260|website=WTAE|access-date=January 26, 2025}}</ref> The state of [[Rhode Island]] has banned tie-down roping and certain other practices.{{sfn|Curnutt|2001|pp=271–272}} Other locales have similar ordinances and laws.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bucktherodeo.com/ords.html |title=PETA |publisher=Buck the Rodeo |date=2013-10-23 |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402070728/http://www.bucktherodeo.com/ords.html |archive-date=2009-04-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<!--A blurb on international rules would fit well here, the UK appears to ban rodeo, Germany has some restrictions. -->

===Positions taken by animal welfare organizations===
There are three basic areas of concern to various groups. The first set of concerns surround relatively common rodeo practices, such as the use of bucking straps, also known as flank straps,<ref>[http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltyhorsebucking.mv SHARK - Animal Cruelty Investigations and Campaigns] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628124319/http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltyhorsebucking.mv |date=June 28, 2013 }}</ref> the use of metal or electric cattle prods,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000511 |title=The Truth about Hot-Shots |publisher=Sharkonline.org |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2013-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031161640/http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000511 |url-status=live }}</ref> and tail-twisting.<ref>[http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltytailtwisting.mv SHARK - Animal Cruelty Investigations and Campaigns] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514100438/http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltytailtwisting.mv |date=May 14, 2012 }}</ref> The second set of concerns surround non-traditional rodeo events that operate outside the rules of sanctioning organizations. These are usually [[amateur]] events such as [[mutton busting]], calf dressing,<ref>[http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltycalfdressing.mv SHARK - Animal Cruelty Investigations and Campaigns] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908050856/http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltycalfdressing.mv |date=September 8, 2012 }}</ref> [[wild cow milking]], calf riding, chuck wagon races, and other events designed primarily for publicity, half-time entertainment or crowd participation. Finally, some groups consider some or all rodeo events themselves to be cruel.<ref>[http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltycalfroping.mv Calf roping - The Most Cowardly Rodeo Event] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908045618/http://www.sharkonline.org/rodeocrueltycalfroping.mv |date=September 8, 2012 }}</ref>

Groups such as [[People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals|PETA]], and [[Showing Animals Respect and Kindness|SHARK]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sharkonline.org/ |title=SHARK |publisher=Sharkonline.org |access-date=2014-01-02 |archive-date=2014-01-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102032707/http://sharkonline.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Humane Society of the United States]] generally take a position of opposition to all rodeos and rodeo events.<ref>"Statement on Animals in Entertainment and Competition - Rodeo" Humane Society of the United States.  Web site accessed June 28, 2007 at http://www.hsus.org/about_us/statements/animals_in_entertainment.html#Rodeos {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303055913/http://hsus.org/about_us/statements/animals_in_entertainment.html |date=2009-03-03 }}</ref>  A more general position is taken by the [[ASPCA]], only opposing rodeo events that "involve cruel, painful, stressful and potentially harmful treatment of livestock, not only in performance but also in handling, transport and prodding to perform." The group singles out children's rodeo events such as goat tying, calf riding and sheep riding (“[[mutton busting]]”), "which do not promote humane care and respect for animals."<ref name="autogenerated1">"Animals in Entertainment: 5.4 Rodeo" web site accessed June 27, 2007 at {{cite web |url=http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pp_en_rodeo |title=ASPCA: ASPCA Policies and Positions: Animals in Entertainment, Sport and Work |access-date=2011-10-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123072049/http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pp_en_rodeo |archive-date=2008-11-23 }}</ref>

The [[American Humane Association]] (AHA) does not appear to oppose rodeos per se, though they have a general position on events and contests involving animals, stating that "when animals are involved in entertainment, they must be treated humanely at all times."<ref>"Events and Contests Involving Animals," ''American Humane Association Animal Welfare Position Statements.'' Web document accessed June 28, 2007 at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060929104048/http://www.americanhumane.org/site/DocServer/apsstatements.pdf?docID=101]</ref> The AHA also has strict requirements for the treatment of animals used for rodeo scenes in movies, starting with the rules of the PRCA and adding additional requirements consistent with the association's other policies.<ref>"American Humane Association Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media:Roceo Scenes," web document accessed June 27, 2007 at [https://web.archive.org/web/20060929103159/http://www.americanhumane.org/site/DocServer/GuidelinesPDF.pdf?docID=1821]</ref> Unique among animal protection groups, the ASPCA specifically notes that practice sessions are often the location of more severe abuses than competitions.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> However, many state animal cruelty laws provide specific exemptions for "training practices." The American Humane Association is the only organization addressing the legislative issue, advocating the strengthening of animal cruelty laws in general, with no exceptions for "training practices."<ref>"Legislative Brief: Anti-cruelty Laws" web site accessed June 27, 2007 at [https://web.archive.org/web/20030817103231/http://www.americanhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=nr_legis_brief_anticruelty]</ref>

===Modern practice===
It is a myth that a modern [[bucking horse]] is a wild animal. The modern bronc is not a truly [[feral horse]]. Some bucking horses are riding horses that learned to buck off their riders.<ref name="AVMA2000"/> Other bucking horses are specifically bred for use in rodeos.<ref name="Diamond"/>

A proven bucking horse can be sold for $8000 to $10,000 or more, making rough stock a valuable investment worth caring for and keeping in good health for many years. Likewise, [[bucking bull]]s are also [[selective breeding|selectively bred]]. Most are allowed to grow up in a natural, semi-wild condition on the open range, but also have to be trained in order to be managed from the ground, safely loaded into trailers, vaccinated and wormed, and be loaded in and out of bucking chutes.<ref name="Diamond">Partian, Chris.  "Diamond in the Rough."  ''Western Horseman,'' July 2007, pp. 132-140</ref>

Young bucking horses are initially introduced to work with cloth dummies attached to the saddle.<ref name="Diamond"/> Others are already well-trained on the ground. Some champion bucking horses got their start as riding horses that learned how to quickly and effectively unseat riders.<ref name="Bronc Riding">"Is Rodeo Bronc Riding Cruel?" Web article accessed June 28, 2007 at http://www.cowboyway.com/BroncRiding.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624004252/http://www.cowboyway.com/BroncRiding.htm |date=2007-06-24 }}</ref> Due to the rigors of travel and the short bursts of high intensity work required, most horses in a bucking string are at least six or seven years old before they are used extensively, and are expected to be sound performers for many years.<ref name="Diamond"/> Awards are given to the owners of the best bucking horses, who are respected as equine athletes and perform for many years.<ref>"Rodeo History"  ''Long Rodeo Company.'' Web site accessed June 28, 2007 at {{cite web |url=http://www.longcompany.com/history.htm |title=History |access-date=2008-02-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210065352/http://www.longcompany.com/history.htm |archive-date=2007-12-10 }}</ref> Many are retired to pasture at the end of their careers.<ref name="AVMA2000"/> Many bucking horses understand their job well and reduce or stop their bucking, even while still wearing a flank strap, as soon as they either unseat the rider or hear the buzzer.

===Industry position===
Modern rodeos in the United States are closely regulated and have responded to accusations of [[animal cruelty]] by instituting a number of rules to guide how rodeo animals are to be managed.<ref name="PRCApdf"/> In 1994, a survey of 28 sanctioned rodeos was conducted by on-site independent veterinarians. Reviewing 33,991 animal runs, the injury rate was documented at 16 animals or 0.047 percent, less than five-hundredths of one percent or one in 2000 animals.<ref name=autogenerated2>"Is Rodeo Bronc Riding Cruel?" Web article accessed February 5, 2008 at http://www.cowboyway.com/BroncRiding.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624004252/http://www.cowboyway.com/BroncRiding.htm |date=2007-06-24 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.greeleystampede.org/animal-welfare Animal Welfare] Retrieved on 25 March 2009 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726131518/http://www.greeleystampede.org/animal-welfare |date=July 26, 2011 }}</ref> A study of rodeo animals in Australia found a similar injury rate.  Basic injuries occurred at a rate of 0.072 percent, or one in 1405, with injuries requiring veterinary attention at 0.036 percent, or one injury in every 2810 times the animal was used, and transport, yarding and competition were all included in the study.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prorodeo.asn.au/animals.htm |title=Animal Welfare: Animals in Rodeo |publisher=Prorodeo.asn.au |access-date=2014-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320084011/http://www.prorodeo.asn.au/animals.htm |archive-date=2012-03-20 }}</ref> A later PRCA survey of 60,971 animal performances at 198 rodeo performances and 73 sections of "slack" indicated 27 animals were injured, again approximately five-hundredths of 1
percent—0.0004.<ref name=PRCApdf>{{cite web |url=http://www.prorodeo.com/pdfs/AnimalWelfare.pdf |title=''Animal Welfare: The Care and Treatment of Professional Rodeo Livestock.'' PRCA |access-date=2014-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411122325/http://www.prorodeo.com/pdfs/AnimalWelfare.pdf |archive-date=2008-04-11 }}</ref>

Nonetheless, accusation of cruelty in the USA persist. The PRCA acknowledges that they only sanction about 30 percent of all rodeos, while another 50 percent are sanctioned by other organizations and 20 percent are completely unsanctioned.<ref name=PRCApdf/> The PRCA opposes the general concept of [[animal rights]], but supports [[animal welfare]]. The PRCA takes the position that the organization does this and even goes beyond expectation.<ref name="Regan: 150">[[#Regan|Regan]]: 150</ref> Not all rodeos are governed by the PRCA however, though organizations governing collegiate and high school rodeos base their rules on those of the PRCA.  Nonetheless, certain amateur and "backyard" rodeos are unregulated,<ref>[[#CITEREFHarris2007|Harris]]: 199</ref> and do not follow PRCA rules.<ref name="Regan: 150"/>

Advocates for rodeo say that sick, injured, hungry, or severely abused animals cannot perform well in a given event. Rough stock must be healthy and well fed to give the cowboy a powerful and challenging ride sufficient to obtain a high score. The bucking strap has to be an incentive to an animal that already wants to buck off a rider, not a prod, or the animal will either flee the pain, not buck, quickly sour and refuse to work, regardless of any pain that might be inflicted.<ref name="Bronc Riding"/> Steers and roping calves will not break from the chute fast enough for ropers to achieve a fast time if they are lame or weak, and because of size and weight restrictions for each event, they are not generally used for more than a single season.

Health regulations mandate vaccinations and blood testing of animals crossing state lines, so rodeo stock receives routine care. An injured animal will not buck well and hence a cowboy cannot obtain a high score for his ride, so sick or injured animals are not run through the chutes, but instead are given appropriate veterinary care so they can be returned to their usual level of strength and power.<ref>{{cite web |title=The bovine athlete |url=https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2012-08-01/bovine-athlete |website=American Veterinary Medical Association |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=19 September 2020 |language=en |archive-date=2020-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112025922/https://www.avma.org/javma-news/2012-08-01/bovine-athlete |url-status=live }}</ref> PRCA regulations require veterinarians to be available at all rodeos to treat both bucking stock and other animals as needed.<ref name="Rules">[http://www.prorodeo.com/animal_welfare.aspx?xu=3 PRCA Animal Welfare rules and discussion, web site accessed February 5, 2008] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608030150/http://www.prorodeo.com/animal_welfare.aspx?xu=3 |date=June 8, 2008 }}</ref>

The PRCA emphasizes that they first promulgated rules for proper and humane treatment of livestock in 1947, a full seven years before the founding of the Humane Society of the United States.<ref name="Bronc Riding"/> Participants are fined for animal abuse, and a study of 21 PRCA rodeos found only 15 animals injured in 26,584 performances, a 0.06 percent rate.<ref name="AVMA2001">[http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jan01/s011501tt.asp "Welfare of animals integral part of professional rodeos" ''Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association'',  January 15, 2001.  Web page accessed April 6, 2009] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524205321/http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/jan01/s011501tt.asp |date=May 24, 2012 }}</ref>

There are occasions of rule violations and animal mistreatment at sanctioned rodeos. The major national rodeos are also under the most intense scrutiny and are the most likely to rigorously follow the rules. Rodeos not subject to the rules of the PRCA or other organizations, and rodeos outside of the United States and Canada, where animal cruelty laws are weaker, are more likely to be the sites of abusive practices.