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Your Opinion of the Rodeo

7K views 80 replies 36 participants last post by  2muchcoffeeman 
#1 ·
I wasn't sure where else to put this! Sorry! I didn't want to put it in the Rodeo forum because I want everybody's opinion on this.

I live in the UK and we don't have anything like rodeos. I would really like to move to Canada in the future to run my own ranch (a big dream).

I have seen many many animal welfare videos on Rodeo and to be honest they look pretty horrific. I have also seen what looks to me as the 'fun' side of Rodeo but only on TV or Youtube.

So what I really want to know is what is the rodeo like in reality? And, are there any good rodeos in the Calgary area of Alberta? I wold like to know so I can visit when I go there.

I really don't want any arguments, just honest opinions from all sides.

Thanks
 
#2 ·
Dont believe the many horror videos online. Many of them are illegal rodeos or run down in mexico where rules and regulations are very different.

The good rodeos really take care of their stock. Many of the animals are worth tens of thousands of dollars. Of course accidents can happen, but i can trip and fall on my front steps and die before anyone finds me.

I support the good rodeos. :)

I dont know about rodeos from canada so i cant help you there, sorry.
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#3 ·
The horror videos are usually extreme, but accidents aren't uncommon. I had a buddy who was really into rodeo, but after he actually went to a few he changed his mind. Of the four he went to (all "good clean rodeos," legal and whatnot) several animals died, including two horses and a calf.

Myself personally, I don't like them. But, to each their own I suppose.
 
#26 ·
I had a buddy who was really into rodeo, but after he actually went to a few he changed his mind. Of the four he went to (all "good clean rodeos," legal and whatnot) several animals died, including two horses and a calf.

I just wanted to point out that I've been rodeoing all my life and only once have I heard/seen an animal die. This was a total accident. The bucking horse happened to twist it's leg wrong and it got broke so it was humanly put down by the local vet.
Of course, I've heard of other animals dying and it's real sad thing to hear. I just wanted you to know that it's very rare for an animal to die so don't believe inhuman videos on the internet because those are usually unprofessional and in no way related to most rodeo folk.
In fact, I am in the High School Rodeo Association for America and if you are caught abusing your horse at all or related to dangerous acts with your animals, you will be kicked out of the Association.
 
#4 ·
Thanks, really helpful!

I am more or less completely ignorant on this subject as you can probably tell. All I have seen of Rodeos is what's on Youtube and what you see on 'Heartland'. Two very different extremes!
 
#7 ·
Yes, that is very, true. I know one myth about rodeos is that the bucking horses are wild and terrified - but in reality, many rodeo horses are trained to buck their riders. However, as I'm sure you know, that can cause accidents no matter what - of the two my buddy saw die, one fell and broke its neck, one snapped a front leg and was put down on the track. In the mini event of calf tying, when the calf was roped (around the neck) the horse spooked, bolted and it suffocated while being dragged by the horse.

So, it can indeed be a very cruel sport (like the illegal rodeos) but if they are regulated and legal, accidents are much less common. The animals are valuable and treated well, but if you're running an event like that it can't be avoided, really. I realize that they do all they can to prevent such accidents, but I just think that it is an unnecessary risk to take.

To best experience it, I would go to a rodeo. Or, if you have Cable TV, you can usually find a rodeo on one of the obscure channels that don't censor anything out (when we had cable, there was actually a rodeo channel). It might turn out to be something you like, and maybe not - the only way to find out is to go watch one :)
 
#6 ·
The only way to truely understand and appreciate Rodeo is to go to a good one. The animals, big and small, are treated humanely and with respect. After all, these animals mean the difference between a house or a truck payment for more people than others may know.

The rodeos that are uses by extremist groups are those that are run purely for sport and an ill-deserved profit. These rodeos don't see their livestock as something of value. They're expendable and easily replaced. It's unfortunate that most are either killed or suffer because some good 'ol boy wanted to make a quick buck.

People who are true cowboys and cowgirls treat their animals like royalty. Only the best is what they receive. Rodeo folks are also kind-hearted. Heck, they may have beat you in the arena 20 minutes ago but they'll be the first to help you fix a flat, or haul you and you're rig into town.
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#8 ·
Yeah, I knew that bucking horses are trained and bred to do what they do but no matter what, hardly anyone actually believes that here...

I have seen race horses fall and break their legs/ necks and I KNOW that those horses are treated like royalty. I have seen that for myself.

The only way I could watch one is to actually go to the US or Canada. I don't think I could find one on TV! First of all I live in the UK, second of all, I live in Wales... we don't even get the music channels :/

When I finish Uni it will be great work experience to go out there and work on a ranch (which is what I really want to do) so maybe I'll get to see one then :)
 
#9 ·
I've never been to a rodeo, but anything with horses/animals has the risk of accidents. The difference is whether the people involved are capable of reducing the risk, and by how much. You could go to the best rodeo in the world, and there would be the possibility of a calf dying, or a horse getting hurt... it would just be much lower than a rodeo run by money-hungry abusive morons. But frankly, any respectable businessman (which is what most of those people are in rodeos- most of the ones I know pay their bills with their winnings) knows that he has to treat the animals right/ run a good, honest show to get good, honest money. I have faith in the people that compete in/ run rodeos, but I don't expect them all to be nice, as they are still people, if that makes sense... JMHO.

I'd like your last post, Shoebox, but there's no like button, lol...
 
#10 ·
I agree with others, there is nothing quite like watching a good rodeo. Any stock contractor (breeds, raises, and hauls the rodeo stock) worth his salt treats his animals better than most of our personal horses get treated. They work for 8 seconds a week and if there is anything even slightly off about them, they get immediate and thorough vet/farrier/chiro care.

I think that Calgary is right in the middle of Canadian rodeo country, but don't quote me on that since I'm from Texas and have never been to Canada LOL.

If you get the opportunity, go behind the scenes, talk to some of the cowboys/cowgirls, try to visit with the stock contractors, go behind the chutes where the stock pens are and just look at the stock they've got. It is pretty easy to see that they are all in good health, good flesh, and haven't been mistreated.

Heck, if you're ever in the Tx panhandle in the summer time, look me up. I can take you to any rodeo within 200 miles and introduce you to cowboys and stock contractors.
 
#14 ·
Heck, if you're ever in the Tx panhandle in the summer time, look me up. I can take you to any rodeo within 200 miles and introduce you to cowboys and stock contractors.
*packs bags*


I'm a huge fan of the "good" rodeos..Many people have already listed the good and bad points but I'm another pro rodeo vote.
 
#11 · (Edited)
@soenjer55 ^ It's okay, I want your honest opinion. And, it does make sense :)
Same with everything really... some people value money over everything else.

@smrobs Yeah, I will get my stalk on and see what I think :P
I haven't been to Canada since I was 8 so looking forward to it/ nervous too because I saw the world through rose tinted glasses then...
 
#12 ·
There is another thread where I got a serious learnage from somebody who knew more about me...I like it more now, but still I hate calf roping...seems a little useless....and painful for the calf:)
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#13 ·
Like others said the animals that perform in rodeos, bucking stock, calves and steers and the horses for timed events, are all treated very well. Some people worry that roping a calf or steer will hurt them. But, if you look into the anatomy of bovines you see that their spines are well protected.

There is a fantastic and large, popular rodeo in Calgary, Alberta. It's the Calgary Stampede and has it's own website. There is also a very nice show venue for English disciplines, Spruce Meadows. It, too, has a website. They have polo in Calgary, too. Great cow country, also.
 
#15 ·
Here in Michigan I have been to a few Rodeos ....personally I'm not a big fan (no offence to those here that do them) iv seen horses run so hard they have a heart attack, cows and goats snap their necks, iv seen cows break their legs while running. Things like this happen often while they may be accidental I feel it is just a very risky thing. Also lets be honest how many bucking bull or horses have you seen that look like their enjoying themselves? I've also helped out some at these and seen first hand the lack of concern or heart people who run these have towards their animals. In their opinion animals are replaceable if something gets hurt they'll just get a new one. It becomes all about the money they make or the adrenaline rush they'll get.

Aside from the cattle and goats I don't like how most of the people ride their own horses you can see the fear in many of the horses eyes. Most people wear spurs and use them WAY WAY WAY too much then WHAMMY they jerk their oversized bits back for a speedy stop! In my opinion that's in no way humane or fun for the animal

Now I hope I didn't offend anyone I know not all people and rodeos are like that but the vast majority of the ones I've been to are and I find them disheartening
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#24 ·
Here in Michigan I have been to a few Rodeos ....personally I'm not a big fan (no offence to those here that do them) iv seen horses run so hard they have a heart attack, cows and goats snap their necks, iv seen cows break their legs while running. Things like this happen often while they may be accidental I feel it is just a very risky thing. Also lets be honest how many bucking bull or horses have you seen that look like their enjoying themselves? I've also helped out some at these and seen first hand the lack of concern or heart people who run these have towards their animals. In their opinion animals are replaceable if something gets hurt they'll just get a new one. It becomes all about the money they make or the adrenaline rush they'll get.

Aside from the cattle and goats I don't like how most of the people ride their own horses you can see the fear in many of the horses eyes. Most people wear spurs and use them WAY WAY WAY too much then WHAMMY they jerk their oversized bits back for a speedy stop! In my opinion that's in no way humane or fun for the animal

Now I hope I didn't offend anyone I know not all people and rodeos are like that but the vast majority of the ones I've been to are and I find them disheartening
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If you ever get a chance, please come west and watch well produced rodeos with competitors and staff who are professional and competent with animals. People who have the animals well-being as priority #1.

Michigan sounds awful, from what you describe. I've never witnessed anything like that.
 
#16 ·
I love going to rodeos. All the ones I have been too I have never seen horses break down or get visibly injured. All the stock is treated really well, and they are all kept out in the open next to the bandstand so it would be pretty hard to miss if they were being treated poorly. I used to go to the rodeo every year, but unfortunately with my new work schedule I tend to miss it :( The only injuries I saw were to the cowboys when they fell off the bucking horses or bulls. I also once saw a guy get gored, which I have to say was handled really well by the event staff and the guy recovered very well.
 
#20 ·
When I was younger I competed in Jr. SRA rodeos... We just did barrels and poles, and we always had a blast. I have never really learned much about the cattle side, though. The people we were around were always very kind. I guess, like every other sport out there, there is good and bad depending on the people involved.
 
#21 ·
Ah, calf roping. It's such a controversial subject, LOL. It's actually the only event I truly don't care for... Personally, I don't want to do it, I think that there is no truly safe way of doing it for the calf, and I just plain don't find roping appealing... it just isn't my thing, really- No offense to those who like it, to each their own. :D
But all the other events I find at least interesting- I loved running poles/ barrels, and I want to try cutting (I did it at a local fun show once and thought it was pretty fun).
 
#22 ·
Look at it this way, rodeo events are exhibitions of jobs necessary on a ranch (except of course bulls & barrels, those are just to show off how awesome you are:) But it's the same concept as the steeple chases (or whatever the proper term is, LOL) & fox hunting. Those sports stemmed from a necessity as well.

There's the good, the ok, & the ugly in EVERYTHING!

Face: I completely forgot about mutton bustin (gasp, horrible, horrible parent I am!) My son WILL do that! ....now I just have to find somewhere, LOL
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#23 ·
I use to ride on a drill team, we preformed at rodeos, so I was 'behind the scenes' most the time, and I've been to ALOT of rodeos! There are good ones and bad ones out there, for the most part they are good, and in all my time of rodeoing I only ever saw one animal seriously injured (a bucking horse that broke it's leg, BUT I think that happened in the pens in the back, not while the horse was working). I remember a calf roper once letting the calf go because it was a bad catch and it would have been injured (possibly broken neck) if he'd held it. And I remember one rodeo where the bucking horses just stopped the second they herd the buzzer! They just froze and waited for the cowboy to hop off (many will stop bucking, but that was the first I'd seen where they all just stopped)!

On the bad side, there were a few rodeos where they liked to rile the horses up before running them into the shoots by chasing them around w/ a cattle prod. Overall the worst offenders I've seen are barrel racers (not all of course).

So I'm on the pro rodeo side, I'm not a big fan of the roping, team or calf, but overall I enjoy a good rodeo!
 
#29 ·
He can toss a rope at me anytime... ;-)

I too am from Michigan, and our rodeos are nothing compared to the big ones. The ones ive been to are decent but dont touch NFRs standards. Mostly low level fairground stuff. You cant even compare it to the big leagues...
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#30 ·
I moved to Calgary from Europe almost three years ago, and started getting exposed to rodeo culture then. Of course, there is Stampede in Calgary, but there are many, many smaller rodeos in the area such as Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds, Ponoka, or if you're adventurous the gay rodeo in Strathmore :).
The first thing that I noticed was how short the single events are - while in showjumping or dressage each rider gets several minutes for their performance, most rodeo rides are done in about 20sec. Barrel racing, roping, bull/bronc riding, all of them are done within seconds.
As far as the cruelty goes, I've seen worse, but sometimes I'm not sure whether e.g. calf roping should really be classified as entertainment.
Also, as for "valuable stock" - a friend of mine used to work at one of Alberta's racetracks as a vet. He said that it's very common for off-the-track horses to have a second career in the chuckwagon races, and after that go straight to slaughter. Everyone has to decide themselves on whether they agree with that or not.
I'm not completely against rodeos, and appreciate their history as "working events", but as in every sport that involves animals, regulations for animal welfare should probably be tightened and enforced better.
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#31 ·
First off: Cla, Drum, we can work out a schedule for Trevor. Can I have him Mondays and every other Friday? :lol:

Second off, on a more serious note, people tend to judge off what they see. In a lot of sports they don't see the behind the scenes "abuse", the shooting up of drugs and steroids, the "corrective shoes", the whips, the bad training techiques....Therefore it makes all of us look bad.

Just like when you see a show jumper do something questionable, suddenly the entire sport is bad for five minutes while we organize a debate. Then everyone goes on with their lives and forgets about that one rider.
 
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