Imagine working for eight seconds only to
proudly prance back to your corral where
fresh water and an abundance of food awaits
you. This is the reality for rodeo rough stock, bulls
and horses alike. The welfare of livestock, especially in
the rodeo industry, catches a lot of scrutiny from the
public, many seek to eliminate the rodeo industry all
together in favor of giving all animals rights. “The PRCA,
and others involved in the sport of rodeo, are the true
advocates for animal welfare,” said Jed Pugsley, PRCA
Livestock Program Administrator. “Animal welfare being
the belief system that we have the right to interact with
animals in industry, sport, recreation and entertainment,
but along with that right comes the responsibility to
provide proper care and handling. Animal welfare is not
only the backbone of the PRCA’s approach to successful
events, but the cornerstone to a prosperous future.”
Many cowboys proclaim they would enjoy living the life of
a rodeo animal, short work days and long vacations await
these animals. They are the livelihood of the stock
contractors that care for and breed them for rodeo.“We
make sure our animals are in tip-top shape all year
round,” said Rhett Beutler, co-owner of Beutler and Sons
Rodeo Company out of central Oklahoma. “If the animals
coming off my truck are in bad shape, not only do I get
a bad name in the industry, I also start to lose business.
People wait for the arrival of these animals and I want
them in the best shape possible, so they can perform to
their full potential.”
Most cattle need little enticement to run out of a roping chute. Cattle
prods are only used in the event they stall, refuse to leave their chute.
Safety of the animals, contestants and personnel is the top priority for
every rodeo. Photo courtesy of Lindsay King.
Rodeo LIFE 17