Posted on 11/17/2004 5:45:47 PM PST by BullRidingLawyer
Dear Freepers:
I am writing to you today about an issue that some of you may be indifferent to; and I hope to convince you that the protection of rodeo and rodeo sports is important enough to deserve your attention. Please read this message and give it careful consideration.
The Cowboy and Rodeo are a part of our American culture. Events such as Bull Riding are becoming more popular as cable television broadcasts events from the PBR and PRCA. However, a small number of animal rights extremists are trying to ban this fun family-oriented sport. Not only does this affect the fans who enjoy watching this sport, but also the cowboys such as myself who enjoy participating in the sport.
I am a law student at Stetson University College of Law and today I was interviewed by a reporter with the St. Petersburg Times about my efforts to repeal an ordinance in St. Petersburg, as well as other ordinances in other Pinellas County cities, that ban rodeo sports. My argument is threefold:
1. Rodeo, especially roughstock events such as Bull Riding, do not hurt animals. Flank straps are not tied around a bulls sex organs and are not tightly cinched around a sensitive area of the bull. They are cotton ropes that cause a minor discomfort - like a tickling sensation - encouraging the bull to extend his back legs and kick. They cause no damage or torment to the animal and are immediatly removed after a ride has been completed. Similarly, spurs do not break the ribs of bulls, cause internal injuries, or even cuts. Bulls have extremely thick hide and rodeo cowboys use extremely dull spurs for the purpose of anchoring their feet. Finally, cattle prods have widely been accepted as a humane way of moving animals like bulls and there is no evidence that bulls or horses are tormented with such devices. In fact, rodeo animals command a premium price and are often involved in profitable breeding programs. It is in the best interest of cowboys and owners to treat their animals well. Rodeos are not the "last stop before the slaughterhouse".
2. If local governments can prevent people like me from riding bulls, what can't they do? Law banning rodeo are not grounded in common sense; most are backed by animal rights crowds that believe animals are entitled to similar rights as human beings. Why in our society should we prohibit an activity like rodeo that causes no social harm and that many find enjoyable.
3. Rodeo is a family-oriented activity that is good for the community. Although a dangerous sport, it is a wholesome activity for teenagers to become involved in. Rodeo schools are available around the country and modern protective gear such as helmets helps deal with the risk involved in riding bulls. Shouldn't we be encouraging such activities; considering the alternatives, riding a bull is not the worst thing a person can do. It builds confidence, discipline, and keeps you in shape (you can't be out of shape and ride bulls). Furthermore, rodeo shows are spectator-friendly and are family oriented entertainment. Finally, rodeos can be used as charity fund raising events to help the community.
If you live in a city where rodeo is banned or where a rodeo ban is being considered, I urge you to write your mayor and city councilman urging them to vote against the ban if its coming up for a vote, or to repeal the ban if it already exists. For those of you living in Pinellas, Pasco, or Hillsborough County, Florida - especially the City of St. Petersburg - please write your council members and tell them you oppose bans on the sport of rodeo.
Jason Van Dyke
I live in southcentral Michigan.
A few years ago, some activists cut the fence on the rough stock pen at the Saline/Washtenaw fair grounds. It was a nitemare..
Here is an account.
I don't know anything about the NAIA, I just googled for the incident.. This was a good accounting.
http://www.naiaonline.org/body/articles/archives/horsesinjured.htm
Re: flank straps: They are cotton ropes that cause a minor discomfort - like a tickling sensation - encouraging the bull to extend his back legs and kick.
You look silly for writing that. Tickling? Get rid of tickling. It's not ~painful~, you are right. You should have stopped there, and with the clarification that it isn't tied around sex organs. But the flank strap is put there because it makes the bull madder than he'd be without it. You have to own that. Explain why making the bull madder so he'll buck harder is not in and of itself causing pain.
Similarly, spurs do not break the ribs of bulls, cause internal injuries, or even cuts. Bulls have extremely thick hide and rodeo cowboys use extremely dull spurs for the purpose of anchoring their feet.
Another goofy statement that will only fool those who have never watched the sport. Dull? No they are not. Anchoring the feet? BS. Admit to me this. Your score goes down if you are not moving your feet and actively spurring. And if you ask me, anchoring your feet with sharp objects into the side of the bull sounds worse. Your good argument was the first sentence, and the concept that bulls have a thick hide, and the duller senses and higher pain tolerance of a prey animal, and the spurs are there because without them, the man's heels alone may not make the bull continue to buck. They do cause pain, pain is what the bull is trying to avoid by bucking you off. But they don't cause injury. That's the fact you have to live with and promote.
Just my two cents. You are in effect buying into the animal rights wacko's thesis if you must reduce your argument for the sport into their terms of acceptability. You can't, they won't find it acceptable, but the populace will, if you don't lie to them. People like bull riding, if they can be shown that the bulls are valuable and valued, which they are, and that few are actually injured in the sport.
I bet they did, but only after several beers, and only on a bet. ;~D
So is the Confederacy and the Confederate Battle Flag.
events such as Bull Riding, do not hurt animals.
Doesn't matter. It's the perception the uninformed general public forms after the left stream media distorts the facts.
a small number of animal rights extremists are trying to ban this fun family-oriented sport.
That's the way it always is. A small, but very vocal group that gains the attention of the left wing media and financial backing from 'progressive' sources.
I'm on your side. I used to do a little calf roping and still enjoy going to the rodeo. The cold hard facts are, the liberals control the media, therefore, the minds of the unwashed masses.
And, as you know, representatives from your profession have been instrumental in the 'progressive' movement.
Maybe:), but I would think those men knew they couldn't afford to get hurt. They also didn't have arenas, and bucking shoots. Most of their work was done on an open prarie, from what I have read about the history of rodeos.
Becky
Thanks for the ping. I live in rodeo country and go to at least one a year, most years more than that. It is also a high school sport in some of the schools here.
I'll admit it is dangerous to the cowboy, but I love watching the bull riding (and the clowns who are the cowboys guardian angels). I have yet to see an animal injured, thank goodness. The animals I have seen are healthy and very well cared for.
I personally think rodeo is a lot less dangerous for the animals than some of the other sports. Horses are more frequently injured over jumps I think, and horse racing (which I love) puts way too much stress on young horses.
What people who are indifferent don't understand is that this is only the first step. It won't be long before the nutsos begin whining about how riding a horse on a pleasure ride is cruel and inhumane.
To be sure, it's only a carnival representation of cowboy life. I enjoy the cutting and roping sports, I think they are still good representations of those skills, and I like events like gaming races. I happen to think bull and bronc riding is a perversion of the animal's function, no point in breaking a bull to ride, and no function in climbing on a bucking horse no one ever intends to train.
Nice place you have!
I managed to be travelling through Reno this summer and went to the Reno Rodeo. A really great rodeo.
Horses and bulls we use for sport are at risk of some injury in any sport. The level of activity in rodeo is as risky as any other, no more, no less, probably.
If the animal rights wackos want to see cruelty, they would fall down and croak if they ever saw a Chilean rodeo.
Thanks.
Isn't it outstanding. We go every year without fail.
You may be right. I truly think the horses and the bulls enjoy it though. I don't know any bulls but I've known some horses who get the greatest enjoyment out of trying to dump a rider.
Eh... maybe.
Still, I think if the contest were to ride the unbroke horse without bucking strap, until he stops bucking... with the effort of the rider working to settle instead of increase the amplitude of the fight, it would be a test of a real valuable skill. Course, they could only use a horse once, if they were any good. ;~D
> fear bull riding is being romantized and younger boys who do >not understand the danger are trying it. I was at a rodeo >awhile back where a 18 year old was throwed off backwards in >the shoot and got his head smashed. He was dead right there.
>If there was some history to bull riding that came from the >real cowboy days, it would be different, but there is not. >It wouldn't hurt my feelings at all to see this event >stopped >even if it was for the bulls sake:)
I ride bulls well aware of the risks involved. The guy was 18 and he is old enough to make that decision on his own. I think bull riding is safer than riding a motorcycle - and not many people think we should outlaw that. The first time I was on a motorcycle I was hurt much worse than in three years of bull riding. I don't see why, if someone wants to ride a bull, we shouldn't let them.
>Explain why making the bull madder so he'll buck harder is >not in and of itself causing pain
Having ridden bulls for three years, they don't make the bull angry. Remember, in bull riding the flanks are tied on before the gate is opened. If they made him mad, he would get a wild hair in the chute and you wouldn't be able to take your wrap properly - especially on a smaller bull that can jerk you around a lot.
>nother goofy statement that will only fool those who have >never watched the sport. Dull? No they are not. Anchoring >the feet? BS
I participate in the sport. The spurs are not sharp. You couldn't cut something with them if you tried. You are correct that spurring will get you more points, but a lot of 90+ points are made on good bulls without spurring action. The spurs do anchor your feet to the bull - they are somewhat loose on your boots and act as "shock absorbers" almost to keep your feet from being blown out when the bull turns back. You don't wear them for the purpose of agitating the bull.
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