For anyone interested in what REALLY happens at most rodeos

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Tia

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As so many people replied to the rodeo video post then I am assuming that you ARE interested in hearing true facts about rodeos.....otherwise why would you all have replied.

I have read the whole of the link below and as I say, I've attended many many rodeos and not once have I seen anything untoward going on and my findings were exactly how the author of the linked commentary says.

This leads me on to wondering just how many of you have EVER been to a rodeo?? From reading some of the ignorant comments on the other thread I have been left believing that hardly any of you have been to one.

I do not condone cruelty and I do not agree with any backstreet rodeo but NPRA rodeos are absolutely nothing like the video. As in all walks of life, if you keep your eyes open you will meet cruelty. Just because someone may choose to abuse their children doesn't mean that every parent should be slammed for being an abuser! Think logically people - don't be sucked in by ridiculous, uninformed comments.
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http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/savehorses/bronco.html
 
It's good to post another side of the story, thank you.
I suppose I could say both sides will show their side
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its only to be expected. I have not been to a rodeo so couldn't really comment on them . My opinion on the rodeo youtube video is based on what little I saw and was based on the cruelty , whether it happened at a rodeo or elsewhere is of no consequence to me. As you say cruelty can happen anywhere and in any discipline and that does not mean that every show, race, rodeo or event is evil . A very emotove subject
 
I dont think the original poster on the other post was having ago at rodeos in general, just the traetment shown in THAT rodeo. Some people took it further nad tared all rodeos with the same brush unfortunately.

Thanks for the link though, certainly interesting
 
To have clear understanding of a subject - it is sensible to look at both sides; it helps you come to a conclusion. I've seen plenty of "accidents", moments of abject cruelty and not nice things being posted on Youtube about these sorts of things and I agree, it is quite shocking what the human race are capable of at times, but thankfully this is a small proportion. Watching and reading about these things were what decided me that I would never attend nor financially assist any rodeo away from NPRA.

For everyone who made comments on the previous threads; just to let you know that there are many many charities which do try to hinder these events occuring; you may wish to seek them out online and donate some money to help them stop this cruelty.
 
Nice to see how rodeo's should be run! Feel I know a bit more about them now.

Lets hope the other video was only isolated incidents and the abuse was dealt with and punished for, they give a bad name to people who do things correctly (which can be said for alot of other equestrian sports too).
 
Have to agree with you that the majority of Rodeos would NOT be like the video. My comment was towards the video and the people on the video, not rodeo in general. Its like absolutely anything, there are bad ones and there are good ones. Trouble is its bad ones that get more publicity
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Thanks for the link, very interesting and makes alot of sense of the limited rodeos I have seen (videos/tv prog).
 
so are you saying they all run about like that for fun,with their eyes all wild.i can understand the skill and bravery of these riders but that does not make it alright
 
Eh? Are YOU saying that all showjumpers and dressage horses do what they do for fun? Are you saying that all riding school horses do what they do for fun?

I'm really not following your logic LOL!!
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Thanks for the post Tia, a few comments;
1. There is no author, nor any information about their role,qualifications, experience so it is hard to judge the authenticity of their comments regarding statistics, injuries etc (note that I don't dispute them, just don't believe them either).
2. You entitle your post 'what REALLY happens at most rodeos' but you yourself have never been to one that is not organised by the NRPA, so it is possible that the behaviour shown in the video (and I agree, edited carefully) could be either very widespread, or very unusual in smaller locally organised events.
3. The cruelty video has been edited to sustain a particular view, but the rodeo organisers and participants were very shortsighted not the be aware of the impact of the media in relation to animal welfare stories.
4. Is it the role of Youtube, this forum, individual posters to ensure a debate is 'balanced'? Indeed by giving equal weight to both sides of an argument/incident we may be unbalancing a clear cut argument (look at the case of the MMR vaccine in human children for an example of this).
I agree that horses should have a working role, in all countries, in all walks of life....
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1. No author? Well it was surely written by someone.
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What qualifications would you say I have then? Because pretty much every single thing that this person stated, is exactly the same experience I have had with visiting rodeos. My vet goes too and his answer of them is typical of the comments made on that link by the vets.

2. Agreed.

3. Hmm well no different from any public event then, I'm not really getting your point here.

4. Well a debate can hardly be a debate if everyone sees, has knowledge or experience of the same as everyone else, LOL!!
 
Thanks for that Tia. I was confused. Didn't want to watch a cruelty video so not sure exactly what happened but went to a small rodeo in Florida a few years back. Have been racking my brain to think if it was cruel but can't think of anything. I was just amazed at the skill involved. None of the animals seemed stressed and a lot of stuff looked great fun especially barrel racing. Only bad thing was a rider that fell off and lay there without moving, commentator assured everyone he would be fine with just a headache in half an hour but he obviously wasn't as they tried to discretely cover up that he had been taken away in an ambulance.
 
I have attended many Rodeo's and never seen a horse or any animal treated badly! Many of the cowboys I who ride in them, that I have met are incredibly talented horseman. Unfortunately there are some backyard operations, especially south of the boarder that abuse does take place - ask a real cowboy about them they will be appauled.
 
Hi again Tia
1. Obviously it does have an author...but my point is they could be an employee of NRPA...a name and role helps you to evaluate them as a source. I don't dispute your experience or your vets...but if you only visit well run rodeos its probably not a representative sample.
2. Yeah - we agree!
3. Agreed - all equine disciplines must take care how they relate to all media.
4. And it's the different views that make a debate interesting...as long as it doesn't get personal.
Have a groovey weekend
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I do not condone cruelty and I do not agree with any backstreet rodeo but NPRA rodeos are absolutely nothing like the video. As in all walks of life, if you keep your eyes open you will meet cruelty. Just because someone may choose to abuse their children doesn't mean that every parent should be slammed for being an abuser! Think logically people - don't be sucked in by ridiculous, uninformed comments.
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Thanks for this Tia. I'm really pleased to hear 'the other' view. As a Brit, I haven't been to a rodeo, but I've always thought that if I'm in the right place when one is on (Just missed a big championship in Vegas!), I'd go and I expected to enjoy it, so its good to know that I can do so without feeling horror and/or guilt. . You're right of course, there are those who will be cruel in all aspects of life and certainly in all horse sports.
 
I have been to rodeos in Australia and its not really my thing. I don't believe the bucking horses were enjoying it - why would they wear a strap if they didn't need it?
IMO its all about testosterone. There were many skilled bits - the barrel racing etc, but the man on beast wrestling stuff didn't really do it for me.
 
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I went to watch the National Rodeo Finals in Las Vegas in Nov/Dec 2003. I liked all the barrel racing and calf tying stuff but was disappointed to discover that the bucking broncos aren't really wild, just made to buck by those strap thingys round their groins.

[/ QUOTE ]You were disappointed by that? I would be appauled if they were wild as they would be terrified. Surely the the display of bucking is about seeing the skill (or should that be crazyness?!) of the cowboys?
 
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I dont think the original poster on the other post was having ago at rodeos in general, just the traetment shown in THAT rodeo. Some people took it further nad tared all rodeos with the same brush unfortunately.


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I wasn't having a go about rodeos at all. I was just shocked, upset and confused about the footage I saw. I warned people that the footage was shocking.

I wasn't saying all rodeas were like that, though I'm sure there are a few with that sort of behaviour.

Will now read the link that you posted Tia.
 
I have to admit I've never been to a rodeo, nor would I go. I find seeing animals dragged to the ground not to my taste so I leave them to it.
I fully understand that's what they do in a working day on a ranch, but I really don't see the point of it at a competition. The force the calves especially hit the ground must hurt, and they must also be scared.
As for bucking horses, well if they are implying their horses will buck for fun why do they have those belly strap things on them?
I should think it's perfectly possible to train a horse to buck just as you can to rear, and don't believe that rubbish about them not exerting pressure on the belly.
I do however believe in freedom of choice which is why I would never say stop rodeos, I just show my personal disapproval by not watching them.....
I think mine is a logical arguement, I bet most of those horses wouldn't buck without belly straps on which are uncomfortable, and to me it's a waste of horses that could be trained to enjoy having riders on their backs..
Sorry, on this we will agree to disagree!
 
On the contrary HH we do agree on distaste of certain equine disciplines; I feel exactly the same about dressage horses as you do about rodeo horses, so although we may be shifting the disciplines to some extent, the same trail of thought is shared by both of us.
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I also totally agree with you on the freedom of choice issues...although I have to take exception to Rollkur in the same way as you do with broncs.
 
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