Friends of Rodeo - Helpful Info

ANIMAL ISSUES GUIDELINES

Rodeo contests were developed by people who deliberately chose to plan their recreation around the same animals they spent long hours working with. The contests were designed with thorough knowledge and respect of the animals' capabilities and limitations, and are regarded as reasonable use of animals.

However, in today's society it is common for all aspects of animal use (from farming to zoos) to be criticized by animal rights activists. It can happen in any community.

Following are some suggestions that may help you avoid or minimize problems that could occur with your rodeo.

Be Ready for Animal Use Criticism

A. Committees should find out who is lawfully empowered to enforce animal cruelty laws in their rodeo's community. It may be a law officer or someone in animal control or welfare. While you want to cooperate fully with the appropriate authority, you should be aware that just because someone approaches you representing an animal organization and states an objection to rodeo, it doesn't mean they have any authority.

B. Check that your stock contractor has been informed on what authorities he should work with regarding inspection of animals and equipment.

C. Work with the stock contractor in seeing that:

A protected area (shaded, windbreak, roofed) is secured for the animals with water and feeding facilities available. They should have room to rest and move about and should not appear cramped, too hot or too cold, thirsty, etc.

There should be accommodations to handle an animal injury during a performance including a sled or sling for removing the animal from the arena to a secure, comfortable, private enclosure.

Find out the name of the rodeo's veterinarian - see that his name and any information necessary for locating him (beeper, radio, or cell phone number, etc.) is posted behind the chutes in several conspicuous locations, as well as at the rodeo secretary's office. Make sure the announcer has this information so that if the vet is needed there isn't any confusion in trying to find out who and where he is.

D. If someone approaches you with questions or demands, do the following:

Ask to see identification that indicates the agency or authority they represent.

Write down their name and agency.

Ask them to wait and you will get the person in charge.

Find the designated spokesperson that has been predetermined by your crew to deal with animal issues. Let him handle them.

If you are dealing with a legitimate criticism that may possibly occur in handling an animal death or injury, it is best to not compromise the truth.

Above all, remain calm, courteous, and professional while speaking to or being around the person(s) that are confronting you or your spokesperson.

Rodeo associations throughout the country have rules that dictate how contests will be conducted and animals will be handled.

Due to an increase in anti-rodeo activity, everybody in rodeo (contestants, contractors, and stock handlers) must be aware of their actions behind the scenes as well as in the arena. Conduct yourself as if someone is filming everything you do, because they might be doing just that!

Remember, something doesn't have to be abusive to look inappropriate. And attitude is important in what it says about how rodeo people value their animals.

Handling Animals

Rodeo equipment is used to cue and control animals. It must be used in a proper manner. Learn how to be a skillful animal handler before you get to the rodeo.

Never strike or poke an animal with equipment.

Don't over-use the electric cattle prod. Never hold the prod on the animal and buzz it continually. Holding a prod on an animal that is moving in the in the desired direction is not productive and does not teach the animal how to respond in the future.

In using a cattle prod, first buzz it to see if the cattle will respond to the noise. If not, lightly and briefly tap the animal with the prod - after that you will most likely only have to buzz it at them to get them to move.

The electric cattle prod is a humane device when properly used. Please refer to the PRCA Fact Sheet **on cattle prods. **(Contact the PRCA for their Fact Sheet)

Look into the use of a Cattle Paddle Sorter which has recently come into use at stock yards. The instrument is constructed from lightweight plastic pipe with BB's on the inside that produce a noise when held out and shook at the animals. It is effective in large pens.

Cattle should not be fed or watered before competition. Food and water make it difficult for them to perform and is hard on their system. If they are to be used in morning slack, they should be fed lightly the night before and not at all in the morning. A re-run animal can be given moderate water, but no food until after the run.

Experienced handlers should be used to un-tie calves in the arena. Sometimes a calf needs a little extra time to relax and catch its wind. In a manner that approximates petting, you can help the animal by gently pushing on its stomach - releasing - and then repeating if necessary.

Do not pull the calf to its feet by its ears or tail. Do not kick at it to turn it around. To guide the animal toward the catch pen, block the direction you do not want it to go with your body.

The person in the chute with a calf or steer is there to keep the animal on its feet and keep it from turning around. Do not crowd the head of the animal into the chute gate. Do not lift or hold it up by its tail or ears.

Most spectators do not understand the difficulties of handling cattle or the techniques that are commonly used by animal handlers.

We need to be sensitive to what a spectator may perceive as rough handling.

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