"The video content shows a highly placed PRCA official repeatedly and covertly applying an electrical shocking device to horses necks, faces, and other body parts to force them to buck out of their stalls...even within sight of a "judging official". One horse collapses moments after being shocked and does not get up."
This treatment may appear innocuous, however, common sense would suggest otherwise. Consider the violence of a high-charged electrical pulse; High Life Gal collapsed after being "encouraged" with just such a pulse. What a crime this is, and we know who the victims are.
And just like eating individual chickens because we enjoy the taste of their flesh, rodeos are simply abuse and cruelty for entertainment. That's it; no need, nothing essential, just the good down home fun of using a weapon to force a feeling horse to jump about. Indeed, the very use of the shocking device is an implicit acknowledgment that the horse does in fact experience the pain to such a degree that they're literally transformed (through force) into the bucking and aggressive horse so prized in this so-called "sport."
How do we not understand that this is finding pleasure in seeing cruelty done and nothing more? I think it's telling that those who were caught doing this denied their actions, quite telling indeed.
From Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, or S.H.A.R.K.
I cannot believe this, despite the fact that I know even horses not being shocked are being irritated into bucking. The back strap that goes where his legs meet his body? It's irritating his sensitive undercarriage, and he's trying desperately to shake it off.
I like the comment about veterinarians. Because veterinarians? They routinely approved of cruel treatment in labs and other animal 'industries'. Veterinarians like these recently approved Big Brown to run with a 1/4 inch crack in his foot.
This one is going out to my horsey co-workers, two of whom still attend rodeos on the grounds that 'it's natural'.
And the AQHA, with whom Rivet is legally registered? They're getting a huge letter from me, and I'm removing him from their ranks. I encourage everyone else to do the same, you can find their site at http://www.aqha.com/
About one month ago I attended a lecture by Steve Hindi, the man who started SHARK. He is doing amazing work in showing the widespread cruelty involved in rodeos and hunting.
I completely agree with you that the "sport" of rodeo is nothing more than finding pleasure in cruelty. How can people deny this?
Thanks for the post, Alex! (Look, I finally contributed)
Thanks Ashley.
It's amazing that these organizations exist with relatively little press, etc. They're doing excellent work, indeed. (And yet P.E.T.A. get's all the attention.) Considering Jen's comment, rodeos are even more terrible than the video would suggest.
Jennie...
Quote:
"This one is going out to my horsey co-workers, two of whom still attend rodeos on the grounds that 'it's natural'."
I certainly hope you're not referring to me, as I have never attended a rodeo, would never attend one, would never give them my money to watch animals be tortured, and never intend to go to a rodeo.