Page 72 - 2019_NFR_RodeoLife_V4_complete (1)

are ways to encourage this activity and give the animal extra The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association take the welfare
incentive to buck as hard and effectively as possible. “There are of all animals used in PRCA sanctioned events seriously, and the
a lot of people whose livelihood is breaking horses to ride and bucking horses, steers and bulls are no exception. Overall, the
to keep them from bucking and the world of horses has been animal welfare program employed by the PRCA is extensive.
trying to take the bucking horse aspect out of the entire breed More than sixty rules are in place to govern the care and
of horses since the beginning of time and it’s only been about handling of livestock at PRCA rodeos. Professional rodeo stock
100 years of people trying to put that back into bucking horses. animals have a rate of injury of .00052, or five-hundredths of
My simple answer is we try not to hinder them in any way. You one percent. Our pets should be so fortunate. As the sport of
cannot make one buck, if you could make a horse buck then we rodeo continues to grow in popularity, the care of the livestock
wouldn’t be in business because everybody would be able to do involved will be under greater scrutiny. The PRCA and other
this,” Sankey said. rodeo associations will continue to make the welfare of all rodeo
livestock an important part of the rodeo industry. “Bucking
Riders in both the Saddle Bronc and Bareback Riding use spurs horses have the best job that any horse has. They grow up
while riding. All spurs used in these events must be dulled and naturally and think naturally, they don’t get manipulated in any
the rowels (the wheel-type devices on the end of the spur) must way. that’s why if I were going to be a horse, I’d want to be a
be able to roll along the animal’s thick hide; no locked rowels are bucking horse, and they don’t have to go to work every day. 160
allowed. Riders are disqualified if their spurs are too sharp or if seconds a year. They get to eat, they get to hang out with their
the animal is injured in any way due to the rider’s actions. friends, ride on trucks, see new places,” ,” Sankey said.

72 Rodeo LIFE