The Evidence

What the Research Actually Shows

Rodeo proponents call it tradition. Veterinarians and animal welfare researchers call it what it is: deliberate infliction of pain and fear on animals who have no choice. Here is the documented evidence.

The Devices Are Designed to Cause Distress

The animals in rodeos do not buck, run, or resist because they are spirited or athletic. They do so because they are in pain or fear. Every major rodeo event relies on equipment or techniques specifically designed to provoke a stress response — and the science is unambiguous about what that means for the animals involved.

Bull & Bronc Riding

Flank Straps

A flank strap is a rope or leather band cinched tightly around an animal's flank — the sensitive area just in front of the hindquarters. It is not a safety device. It is applied specifically to cause irritation and pain, provoking the animal to buck more violently. When the strap is removed after the ride, the bucking typically stops immediately.

The evidence

Veterinary studies have documented elevated cortisol levels — the primary stress hormone — in rodeo animals consistent with acute pain responses. A 1994 study published in the Journal of Animal Science found cortisol levels in rodeo animals up to three times higher than baseline pasture measurements.

Source: Journal of Animal Science, 1994; American Veterinary Medical Association reports

Chute Procedures

Electric Prods & Spurs

Electric prods — also called hotshots — are routinely used in the chutes to force reluctant animals into the arena. The devices deliver a painful electric shock. Spurs, worn by riders, are raked across the animal's sides throughout the ride. Both are standard, permitted equipment at sanctioned rodeo events.

The evidence

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) rulebook explicitly permits the use of spurs and electric prods. Video documentation by animal welfare investigators has captured their use at hundreds of events across the United States.

Source: PRCA Official Rulebook; SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) investigations

Tie-Down Roping

Calf Roping

In tie-down roping, a calf — often just a few months old — is chased at full speed, lassoed around the neck, and jerked to a sudden stop. The calf is then thrown to the ground and its legs bound. The sudden deceleration from a full run via a rope around the neck routinely causes tracheal tears, neck injuries, and broken bones.

The evidence

A study by Dr. Peggy Larson, a veterinarian and former rodeo participant, documented that calves used in roping events frequently sustain injuries including tracheal damage, hemorrhaging, and broken bones. Many calves are too young to have fully ossified skeletal systems.

Source: Dr. Peggy Larson, DVM; Animal Protection Institute research

Steer Wrestling

Steer Wrestling & Team Roping

In steer wrestling, a rider leaps from a horse onto a running steer and twists its neck to force it to the ground. In team roping, two riders simultaneously rope a steer's head and hind legs, stretching the animal between two horses. Both events carry significant risk of neck injury, joint damage, and ligament tears.

The evidence

The American Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Welfare Division has noted that steer wrestling and team roping carry inherent injury risks due to the forces applied to the animals' musculoskeletal systems during competition.

Source: AVMA Animal Welfare Division; veterinary field reports

Legal Protections

Zero Federal Protections

The federal Animal Welfare Act — the primary U.S. law governing animal treatment — explicitly excludes animals used in rodeos from its protections. This means that practices which would constitute animal cruelty under state law in other contexts are entirely legal when performed in a rodeo arena.

Some states have enacted limited protections, but enforcement is rare and penalties are minimal. The rodeo industry has successfully lobbied to maintain exemptions in most jurisdictions, leaving animals with no meaningful legal recourse.

Federal laws protecting
rodeo animals in the U.S.

Global Perspective

The World Is Moving On

United Kingdom

Rodeos have been effectively banned since 1934 under the Protection of Animals Act.

Netherlands

Rodeo-style events are prohibited under animal welfare legislation.

Germany

Rodeos are banned under the Animal Welfare Act (Tierschutzgesetz).

Multiple U.S. cities

Pittsburgh, PA and several California municipalities have restricted or banned specific rodeo events.

The Facts Are Clear. Now Act on Them.

You've seen the evidence. The next step is adding your voice to the growing movement calling for an end to rodeo cruelty.

Sign the Petition