PRCA guidelines set standard for animal care

Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997 | 12:22 p.m.

Members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association believe, as do most people, that animals should be treated humanely. The PRCA staunchly protects its animals with rules designed to prevent cruelty or even unintentional mistreatment.

Rules governing the PRCA are so successful in protecting animals that the American Veterinary Medical Association recognized PRCA guidelines in its position statement on the welfare of animals in spectator events. The AVMA position reads, in part, "The AVMA recommends that all rodeos abide by rules to ensure the humane treatment of rodeo livestock, such as those established by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association..."

Many people have questions regarding the treatment of animals in professional rodeo. The following information provides brief answers to the questions asked most often.

What is a flank strap?

The flank strap is a sheepskin-lined strip of leather placed behind the horse's rib cage in the flank area. The strap enhances the bucking action, but does not hurt the animal. PRCA rules strictly regulate the use of the strap, which must have a quick-release buckle. Sharp or cutting objects are never placed in the strap. Veterinarians have testified that the flank strap causes no harm to the animals.

"I've never seen or heard of any damage caused by a flank strap, and as for the argument that it covers the genitals, that's impossible," said Dr. Susan McCartney, a Reno veterinarian who specializes in large-animal care. Also, the horse's kidneys are protected by its ribs, and the flank strap does not injure internal organs.

So, if not for the flank strap, why do horses buck? The answer is simple: instinct. It has to be in a horse's nature to buck, and a horse that is not inclined to buck cannot be forced to do so with the use of a flank strap.

Are the animals healthy?

Animals used in professional rodeo competition are top athletes.

"Only when horses and bulls feel good will they buck good, and basically in timed events, it's the same way. The fastest time or best score requires the best stock," said Shirley Churchill, supervisor of timed events at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days Rodeo.

By inspecting every animal before it is selected for competition, the PRCA ensures that only healthy livestock is used. If an animal becomes sick or injured between the time it is drawn and the time it is scheduled for competition, it will not be used.

Are spurs used?

Dull spurs are used in professional rodeo's three riding events (bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding). Spurs that meet PRCA guidelines have blunt rowels (the star-shaped wheel on spurs) that are about one-eighth of an inch thick, so they can't cut the animals.

If a rider uses non-regulation spurs, he is disqualified from competition -- the last thing any professional cowboy wants in his quest for prize money.

The rowels must be loose so they will roll over the horse's hide. Bull riding spurs have dull, loosely locked rowels to provide more grip on the loose-hided animals.

Are animals injured?

A 1993-94 survey conducted at 28 PRCA rodeos indicates that the injury rate for animals was so low as to be statistically negligible.

Of the 33,991 animals that entered the arenas, just 16 were injured, according to data compiled by on-site veterinarians. That translates to an injury rate of less than five-hundredths of 1 percent -- .00047, to be exact -- or less than one animal in 2,000.

All of the veterinarians who took part in the survey reported that the animals were well cared-for and the rodeo grounds were in good condition.

Other surveys throughout the years have also shown that animal injury rates in professional rodeo are extremely low.

Mistreatment of livestock -- either intentional or unintentional -- is virtually unheard of at PRCA rodeos.

Among the five dozen PRCA rules that protect animals is one that authorizes the officials to disqualify a contestant and levy a $250 fine on the spot for unnecessary roughness. The fine doubles with each offense.

How are they cared for?

The true experts on livestock care and management are those who do it everyday. PRCA rodeos are filled with people who are knowledgeable and well-educated about proper livestock handling and maintenance. And few are more attuned to the animals' needs than professional stock contractors.

"Today, rodeo is an investment. It's most important to take care of these animals. In fact, we probably take better care of them than people not involved with rodeo," said Harry Vold of Avondale, Colo., one the the top contractors in the PRCA for nearly five decades.

Tommy Keith, a PRCA judge, said a visit behind the scenes would be educational for most spectators.

"The first thing the stock contractor does (after a rodeo performance) is make sure those animals are fed and watered," Keith said. "He probably hasn't eaten since 7 in the morning and he's been out there working all day, but he makes sure those animals are taken care of before he thinks of himself. To the stock contractor, those animals really are just like his family."

What is an electric prod?

The electric prod is a device developed by the cattle industry to move livestock. Use of the prod has become one of the most universally accepted and humane methods of herding animals on ranches, in veterinary clinics, and, on occasion, at professional rodeos.

At PRCA rodeos, the prod is used only to herd livestock into pens and chutes -- not to shock the animals into performing. The PRCA also regulates the use of prods. PRCA rules require that the prod be used as little as possible and that the animal be touched only on the hip or shoulder area.

Powered solely by flashlight batteries, the prod produces 5,000 to 6,000 volts of electricity, but virtually no amperage. And because amperage -- not voltage -- causes burns, the prod causes a mild shock, but no injury.