Animal Politics: End the Cruelty of Rodeo
A Moral Imperative
The rodeo industry is a reprehensible blight on our society, subjecting innocent animals to unimaginable suffering and death in the name of entertainment and profit. Overwhelming evidence has exposed the sheer brutality and depravity of these events, which must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Rodeo events such as bull and bronco riding, calf roping, and steer wrestling inflict horrific trauma on horses, bulls, and calves. Participants ruthlessly employ a variety of painful tools and devices to force the animals to perform, including metal spurs that tear into their flesh, electric prods that deliver agonizing jolts of electricity, and "bucking straps" that burn their abdomens.
The resulting injuries are nothing short of catastrophic. A study by the Animal Welfare Institute found that between 2015 and 2019, there were over 500 reported injuries to animals at Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned rodeos, including 104 gruesome deaths. In 2018, a bull named Buster was killed during a rodeo event in Colorado after being thrown to the ground, his neck snapped. That same year, a calf named Ryder was left with a shattered leg after being roped and violently dragged during a calf roping competition in Texas.
Firsthand accounts from animal welfare advocates paint a harrowing picture of the cruelty witnessed at rodeo events. Leah Garcés, the president of Mercy For Animals, recounts seeing a bull at a rodeo in Texas that had been so severely injured, "his leg was hanging by a thread." She was devastated to learn that the bull was simply euthanized and discarded rather than receiving proper veterinary care.
In 2023, the animal welfare organization SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) reported that a rodeo rider was charged after video captured undeniable evidence of animal abuse at an event in a Chicago suburb. SHARK has also been demanding the expulsion of PRCA member Jade Corkill for reportedly beating his horse "for a good 15-20 minutes" at a rodeo in Livingston, Montana. The PRCA has acknowledged this incident but has taken no action.
The suffering does not end when the events end. Animals are often transported long distances in cramped, uncomfortable conditions without access to food or water, further exacerbating their distress. And for those who somehow survive to the end of their "careers," a grim fate often awaits them at the slaughterhouse.
The history and prevalence of rodeos in the United States is deeply intertwined with the development of the American West and the rise of the cowboy culture. Rodeos originated from the practices of Mexican vaqueros, or cowboys, in the early 1800s, as they developed techniques for wrangling and managing cattle on the vast ranches of the Southwest. As Anglo-American settlers moved into the region, they blended with the existing Spanish-Mexican communities, giving rise to the iconic American cowboy and the rodeo events that showcased their skills.
By the late 1800s, rodeos had become a popular form of entertainment, with Wild West shows and exhibitions featuring the feats of skilled cowboys drawing large crowds. This helped cement rodeo as a central part of Western cultural identity and heritage. As the American West was settled and the cattle industry expanded, rodeos grew in scale and popularity, becoming a lucrative business venture.
Today, the rodeo industry in the United States is a multi-million dollar enterprise, with the PRCA sanctioning over 600 events annually across the country. Rodeos have become deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of many communities, with events serving as major sources of entertainment, economic activity, and civic pride.
However, this growth and cultural significance has also shielded the rodeo industry from meaningful oversight and reform when it comes to animal welfare. The PRCA has long claimed to have extensive animal welfare programs and regulations in place, but these have proven disturbingly inadequate. The Animal Welfare Act explicitly exempts rodeos from its protections, leaving the animals vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment.
Past efforts to address animal welfare concerns within the rodeo industry have faced significant pushback from powerful industry groups and their allies. The "Cowboy Coalition," a collective of organizations including the PRCA and PBR (Professional Bull Riding), have actively worked to oppose any legislation or regulations that would restrict rodeo practices. This coalition has employed lobbying, public relations campaigns, and other tactics to defend the industry's interests and cultural significance, often at the expense of animal welfare.
Despite this resistance, there have been some signs of progress. Certain states and cities have passed laws banning or restricting the cruelest rodeo practices, such as the use of electric prods and bucking straps. Organizations like SHARK have also been actively investigating and exposing instances of animal abuse, putting increased pressure on the industry. However, the scale of the rodeo industry and its deep cultural roots mean that much more needs to be done to truly address the systemic cruelty that animals face.
The history and prevalence of rodeos in the United States underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform. The industry's economic and cultural significance has allowed it to evade meaningful oversight and accountability, perpetuating the suffering of countless animals. Animal welfare advocates must continue to challenge the industry's practices, educate the public, and push for legislative and regulatory changes that prioritize the wellbeing of the animals over profit and tradition.
The time for change is now. We have a moral obligation to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. It is time for animal welfare professionals, policymakers, and the public to take the following action to end the cruelty of American rodeos:
Advocate for comprehensive bans on rodeo events at the state and local level, following the lead of jurisdictions that have already taken this important step. Resources like the advocacy efforts of SHARK can provide guidance and support.
Demand robust regulations and enforcement mechanisms to protect the welfare of animals used in rodeos, including mandatory veterinary oversight and severe penalties for violations. The Animal Welfare Institute offers policy recommendations and model legislation to strengthen animal protections.
Support legislation that closes the regulatory loopholes and ensures that anti-cruelty laws apply equally to these events. Organizations like the Animal Legal Defense Fund can provide information on current bills and advocacy opportunities.
Educate the public about the realities of rodeo and encourage them to boycott these cruel spectacles, redirecting their entertainment dollars towards more humane alternatives. Resources like the PETA can help share the facts about rodeo cruelty.
Partner with animal welfare organizations to investigate and expose instances of abuse, and pursue legal action against rodeo operators who flagrantly disregard the wellbeing of the animals in their care.
The iconic cowboy is revered in our cultural narrative as the epitome of American fortitude and self-sufficiency. He stands as a beacon of rugged individualism. Yet this romanticized figure finds himself at odds with the brutal realities of the rodeo arena, where animals endure untold suffering for the sake of entertainment and profit.
Our collective admiration for our Western heritage and its celebration of rugged individualism runs deep. But do we truly need to subject sentient beings to such cruelty to preserve our connection to the past? Surely, there are ways to uphold the cowboy ethos and honor our cultural traditions without perpetuating the cycle of abuse synonymous with the rodeo. It's time to confront this incongruity and forge a new path—one where our compassion for animals supersedes antiquated notions of frontier bravado.
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. He is available for consultations. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.
Excellent article on rodeos – the horrendous cruelty and what we can do about it – like supporting the named organizations that continue to fight the good fight. Speaking out if one comes to your town. Send those e-mails when asked to protest an event.
I repeat your opening statement here: “The rodeo industry is a reprehensible blight on our society, subjecting innocent animals to unimaginable suffering and death in the name of entertainment and profit.”
As difficult as this fight is - we are the answer to animal cruelty. Don't expect someone else to do it.
I share a meme I got on Facebook:
"A short story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody could do it - but Nobody realized that Everybody would not do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done. "
Seems to me that rodeo performers abuse animals seeking affirmation of toxic masculinity. The same stuff of the KKK
and the Uber wealthy manipulative billionaire class, the various parties that seek to demean women or marginalized groups. Equality is wishful thinking at present. But the animals while sentient beings are so very vulnerable to harm being defenseless. Trophy hunting might be a topic you could explore too as that one is so very close to my heart.