Originally Posted by Kenaii

I do know that most animal lovers like to call just about any sport involving animals and hard physical activity cruel. Horse Races, Hog hunting, greyhound racing, earthdog trials, weight pulling. I think you get the point.

Originally Posted by Kenaii

Honestly, I don't know enough about rodeo to form an opinion. I do know that most animal lovers like to call just about any sport involving animals and hard physical activity cruel. Horse Races, Hog hunting, greyhound racing, earthdog trials, weight pulling. I think you get the point.

Originally Posted by Jaws101

I have to disagree with the statement that ranchers treat their animals like gold. I live next to these cowboy folk. So far, I have watched multiple horses die in their care, one horse was gored and they stitched it up themselves and made it continue to work, I've seen the horses so lame that they sway to just to stay on their feet, I gave one of the horses bute just to take away some of the pain. They have no shelters, their feet are never done, the horses run from their owners when they see them coming. Not once have I seen a vet there. They are back yard breeders, they just studded out a stallion whom is sterile. But they do not know he is sterile apparently. His testicles haven't dropped and the stallion is probably 5. If their testicles do not drop, the sperm dies. I've watched them literally run their horses into the ground until they can't move. They abuse their animals, they kick them, hit them, choke them and so on. To top it all off the last incident was when they put weaned babies with the adult geldings, and the one filly was attacked. She was lucky to survive. Again living conditions are horrible, they also keep there stallions in to short of fences. Stallions need to be kept in 6ft or higher fencing. There fences are 4ft at best. One of their damn stallions jumped the fence into our yard and raped my mare. I was just about ready to rip off their heads. They also tend to keep 12-15 horses on there 1 acre property.

These people also do backyard rodeo's. The animals suffer the abuse of a normal rodeo, just this time the cowboys are all drunk. It spooks our animals and to be honest the rest of us all look on in disgust.

I can get proof of all of this. The living conditions, the injuries, the abuse. All I would have to do is sit outside for an hour and take pictures.

All the rest of the people out here are the same. Even a girl I used to be friends with.. she changed. She used to show, and when her horse passed she got into rodeo's. Now she rides her dads horse, and in a year this went from a nice looking gelding, into looking like a worn down rug. He lost his muscle and his back is swayed. In just a year he looks the age of 26, and he is 16. She now see's animals as material objects like every other cowboy. They wear out and break down the animal, which usually dies. And then they just get a new one and do it all over again. I've seen some really, really nice looking horses get ruined, or die. Like one they have now, he isn't rideable. He never had a chance to. He was a 2yr old stallion went at it with the others, got stuck in a fence and permanently ruined his shoulder. He would of been a really nice english horse too.

Not all ranchers are cruel though. Just the ones involved with the rodeo circuits seem to be well, dicks. Animals are worthless to them, replaceable. Rodeo's never used to be so bad. If their animals got hurt they were screwed. Now people have an abundance of replacements, so who cares if they die. Just bring out another poor soul.

It's very sad, and frankly sickens me to see.

Originally Posted by Jaws101

I have to disagree with the statement that ranchers treat their animals like gold. I live next to these cowboy folk. So far, I have watched multiple horses die in their care, one horse was gored and they stitched it up themselves and made it continue to work, I've seen the horses so lame that they sway to just to stay on their feet, I gave one of the horses bute just to take away some of the pain. They have no shelters, their feet are never done, the horses run from their owners when they see them coming. Not once have I seen a vet there. They are back yard breeders, they just studded out a stallion whom is sterile. But they do not know he is sterile apparently. His testicles haven't dropped and the stallion is probably 5. If their testicles do not drop, the sperm dies. I've watched them literally run their horses into the ground until they can't move. They abuse their animals, they kick them, hit them, choke them and so on. To top it all off the last incident was when they put weaned babies with the adult geldings, and the one filly was attacked. She was lucky to survive. Again living conditions are horrible, they also keep there stallions in to short of fences. Stallions need to be kept in 6ft or higher fencing. There fences are 4ft at best. One of their damn stallions jumped the fence into our yard and raped my mare. I was just about ready to rip off their heads. They also tend to keep 12-15 horses on there 1 acre property.

These people also do backyard rodeo's. The animals suffer the abuse of a normal rodeo, just this time the cowboys are all drunk. It spooks our animals and to be honest the rest of us all look on in disgust.

I can get proof of all of this. The living conditions, the injuries, the abuse. All I would have to do is sit outside for an hour and take pictures.

All the rest of the people out here are the same. Even a girl I used to be friends with.. she changed. She used to show, and when her horse passed she got into rodeo's. Now she rides her dads horse, and in a year this went from a nice looking gelding, into looking like a worn down rug. He lost his muscle and his back is swayed. In just a year he looks the age of 26, and he is 16. She now see's animals as material objects like every other cowboy. They wear out and break down the animal, which usually dies. And then they just get a new one and do it all over again. I've seen some really, really nice looking horses get ruined, or die. Like one they have now, he isn't rideable. He never had a chance to. He was a 2yr old stallion went at it with the others, got stuck in a fence and permanently ruined his shoulder. He would of been a really nice english horse too.

Not all ranchers are cruel though. Just the ones involved with the rodeo circuits seem to be well, dicks. Animals are worthless to them, replaceable. Rodeo's never used to be so bad. If their animals got hurt they were screwed. Now people have an abundance of replacements, so who cares if they die. Just bring out another poor soul.

It's very sad, and frankly sickens me to see.

Originally Posted by Kenaii

Honestly, I don't know enough about rodeo to form an opinion. I do know that most animal lovers like to call just about any sport involving animals and hard physical activity cruel. Horse Races, Hog hunting, greyhound racing, earthdog trials, weight pulling. I think you get the point.

Originally Posted by Cheytmo

Don't get me wrong...many of your findings are true. But just like any other subject - there are good and there are bad. Rodeo have always been the same - people just get more money and the cowboys & cowgirls keep getting better at what they do.

In my opinion, feel free to be offended. My horse was a pet and do not get me wrong, I loved him. But he was considered my equiptment when it came to roping. If he was hurt or had a bruised foot...I left him at home - no problem and DID have another horse to use. If I would of had to put him down, I would have. I grew up in a small ranchy-town. My opinion on animals are far different from those who grew up in cities or in a home without large breeds.

I hate that many people see disciplining a horse as abuse. If my horse acts up, I don't have a problem correcting him. A spur to the side, a tap with my rope reminds him that he can't do that. With a horse, especially an animal that has a brain like a sponge and very intelligent - you have to educate constantly. NOW! I have seen something so extreme as a guy whipping a horse with a chain...that is intolerable!!

Not all of the "Rodeo Family" are dicks.