Rodeos have been a staple in American culture since they began around 1847. When people think of the sport their minds immediately go to chaps, cowboy boots, broncos, bull riding and roping. But many people also consider the well-being of the animals involved in these rather intense sports. Fricker expresses his concerns saying, “Horses and bulls are tormented by a “flank strap” tied around their hindquarters, which is tightened to make them buck,” and “it should come as no surprise that rodeo animals are treated even worse than those raised solely for food.”

He appears to have a point here. However, Rodeo animals are typically bred for one thing, and that is to perform in rodeos. Horses and bulls are taught to buck as a part of the performance, they are working animals, and this is their one job and they are raised to perfect this task.

Rodeos move fast. The sport and each event included in the sport is all about moving quickly. More than half of the events are about finishing the task in the shortest amount of time possible. As for bronco and bull riding, the rider is only required to remain on the animal for eight seconds, which proves to be a challenge as is.

For bronco and bull riding a tool called a flank strap is used to put pressure on the animal to signal them to buck. They know what they are supposed to do and when to perform, it is what they are bred for generations to do. They understand that when pressure is there, they buck and when it is not, they stop. The flank strap is only tightened a few minutes before the ride begins and is removed immediately when the rider is thrown or dismounts from the animal. 

“Essentially, it’s these animals’ job and they enjoy it. You can’t ‘make’ these animals buck, they have to want to do it. This is why you will often see an animal stop bucking or drastically slow down when they hear the 8-second timer signifying that their job is done.” Animals understand more than people give them credit for. They understand to some degree that they are doing a job and that when the buzzer goes off, their job is finished. The flank strap is made of a soft sheepskin and/or neoprene lined strap. It encourages the animal to kick out behind which provides a much safer ride for both the animal and the rider than if they were to rear up instead.

So how are these animals treated behind the scenes? Well, considering that many of these horses and steers are worth tens of thousands of dollars each, probably better than the steak you eat. According to Nicolaus, at Wrangler NFR, these animals were treated very well. At the National Finals Rodeo, seven different types of feed are available for them to be given, and they each get their own spacious pens of about “288 square feet of space per animal” with adjustments as needed. The animals receive veterinary care, are well fed, exercised, and are never overworked. Most bulls only have one, sometimes two riders per night and are immediately released back into their pens after they have finished their job. 

Of course, these accommodations are for a massive, ten - day long event. Rodeos in smaller towns and ones with permanent brick and mortar locations, have similar practices and likely even better one on one attention with their animals.

Rodeo livestock are the human participants’ livelihood. They make their money off of how well their horse or bull performs. An animal’s monetary worth is determined by its looks, its performance, its breeding, and health so there is absolutely no reason for the owners to mistreat them. These animals are athletes and are handled as such. They receive high quality care and food throughout their lives and are never intentionally sent out into the area with an injury.

While they are often put in high stress situations in the area, the stress is short lived, and they are allowed rest and peace in their off time. People often overlook how smart animals are, they recognize patterns and likely have some understanding that the stress is temporary and that they will be completely free to relax later on in the night. Some people say that the love for the sport and the love for the animals is why they rodeo. A good rider with quality morals respects the working animals that even make the sport possible in the first place. If a rodeo was truly abuse, then these animals and riders would not be worth the monetary sum that they are. Rodeos are a staple, All-American sport that is tough and grueling, but cares for both its animals and its riders.

 

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Quoted Resources

Fricker, Peter. Op-Ed Rodeo Animals Suffer to Amuse the Audience. Vancouver Sun. July 14,    2016. 

Nicolaus, Ruth. Special Treatment: Wrangler NFR Animals Get Optimum Care as They Stay in Las Vegas. Tri- State Livestock News. November 23, 2022. 

Mitchell, Sydney. How Are Rodeo Animals Treated? Animal Agriculture Alliance. December 8, 2022.

Pro Rodeo. Rodeo Terminology. 2024.