Bucking Horses

Saddle Bronc & Bareback Riding Events

Exposing the lie of the "mean" rodeo horse

The Rodeo Mafia claims that their bucking horses are rank and mean, and "born to buck." Its all a lie -- hype and propaganda for a billion dollar industry based on cruelty and cover-ups.

The foundation of the bucking events is the buck strap, also known as a flank strap. Once a horse is moved into a bucking chute, the buck strap is loosely fitted around the flank area like a belt. A contestant gets on the horse and prepares to ride. In the chute, the bucking horse may be shocked, have her mane or tail pulled, her face slapped, or be stabbed with sharp objects, all to irritate and anger her before she is further abused by the bucking strap and spurs.

At the contestant's nod, the chute gate is opened. At the same time a person behind the chute pulls on the buck strap, tightening it around the horse's very sensitive flank area. This is similar to grabbing a very sensitive nerve area of a human being. Just as a person would instinctively fight to escape the tormenting grip, so does the horse fight and buck in a futile attempt to escape the buck strap.

Some rodeo opponents claim the buck strap goes over a horses genitals. This is not true. Regardless, the buck strap is a hated torment for a horse.

The bucking events cannot be held without the buck strap. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania banned the use of the buck strap over a decade ago, and the town hasn't had a rodeo since. The buck strap is as vital to the Rodeo Mafia as it is cruel and tormenting to the horse.

The horse usually does not stop bucking until one of two "pickup men" rides alongside the horse and flips a quick-release mechanism on the flank strap. The horse will usually stop bucking immediately.

The Rodeo Mafia claims their horses love to buck. Horses do occasionally buck for fun or to defend themselves, but that's not what happens in the rodeo. "Bucking horses" are abused animals.

The second half of the equation is electricity. Rodeos use electrical prods to make the tame horses appear more wild. You can read more about the electrical prod here. SHARK has documented countless rodeos and stock contractors using electricity to try and anger the horses. Including at the PRCA National Finals in Las Vegas, NV when our cameras filmed Charles Soileau, Vice Chairman of the Board of the PRCA, as he covertly shocks some horses to make them perform. And continuing right up to the December 2012 NFR when the PRCA was still secretly shocking the horses they claim are "born to buck."

Watch the video clips and see for yourself.

The Truth about Hot Shots

The use of electricity to make animals perform

This is the Power-Mite electric prod, manufactured by Hot-Shot Products Company, Inc. It is a very small device -- easily concealable -- which makes it a perfect weapon for rodeo animal abusers.

The electric prod was not designed to be cruel. It was designed to make large animals move when needed. One example might be to get a sick or injured animal up for absolutely necessary medical treatment.

In rodeos the prods are more often used on animals in pens who are unable to move or even turn around. The rodeo people use the pain of the prod to force the animals to "perform" -- to run or buck against their nature and beyond their natural abilities. This can result in injury and even death for the animal victims of the Rodeo Mafia.

The Hot-Shot Power-Mite easily generates between 4,000-5,000 volts of electrical pain, but don't believe us: Click here.

This horse is about to receive a shock near his head.

Rodeos use the Hot-Shot device in defiance of the manufacturer's own recommendations, which state:

"We do not recommend our products be used in rodeos."

"We only recommend our products be used on hogs and cattle. Do not use on horses, they are much more sensitive."

"Any use for entertainment purposes is not something we support or condone."

"Our prods should only be used on the rear of animals, never near the head or eyes."

"The Hot-Shot Power-Mite livestock prod is designed, manufactured, and marketed for use to aid in the movement of cattle and hogs. Hot-Shot does not condone the use of the Power-Mite or any Hot-Shot electric prod for use on horses, including horses in a rodeo environment."

--Jim Bartel, Marketing Director, Miller Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Rodeo people claim that the prod "just pinches a little." But a radio talk show host in Las Vegas who tried the prod likened it to, "...a thousand white hot needles going in and out of me."

The prod hurts, and the Rodeo Mafia knows it. That's why they use it on their animal victims, in violation of the prod manufacturer's intentions. That's also why rodeo people refuse to take a jolt from the prod, even though SHARK president Steve Hindi has taken the prod himself, and offered rodeo people as much as $300 to do the same for just an instant.

"We don't condone the use of this on horses and not in rodeos"

--Amy Scheel, Marketing Director, Miller Manufacturing Company, Inc.

The bottom line is -- the Rodeo Mafia can't take what it dishes out.

We've gathered a multitude of video evidence of these devices being used in rodeos. From "backyard rodeos", to PRCA rodeos, IPRA rodeos, and all the way up to the PRCA's National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hot-Shotted Horse Dies, July, 2013

Horses Electro-Shocked at 2013 Tucson Rodeo

Calf Roping -- The Most Cowardly Rodeo Event

It's not hard for anyone with a brain and a heart to understand what's wrong with clotheslining a baby animal, body slamming it to the ground and tying its legs so it cannot move. If this were done to a puppy or kitten, the offender would be charged with crimes and likely jailed. But in the world of rodeo it's "entertainment."

This event used to be called Calf Roping, because that's what it is. But in the cowardly world of PRCA rodeo where bullshit and lies reign supreme and the idea of tradition is used simply as a convenient cover when is suits them, the event was renamed Tie Down Roping in an effort to mask the true nature of this disgusting activity. Two to three month-old calves are clotheslined, body slammed and tied for points. The calves are considered expendable. While the name has changed, the cruelty of the abusers is the same.

Video of a calf being mortally injured

Incredibly, rodeo people have no problem with committing an act of cruelty and cowardice against a baby cow during calf roping. A roping calf is only two to three months old. After that, they become too heavy for the "macho" cowboys to handle.

Calf-roping on the range bears no resemblance to Calf Roping at the rodeo. In the rodeo, it is a timed event, and indefensible abuse to the calf is the price paid for a competitive time. On the range, calves are roped carefully, and slowly brought to a halt.

On the range, calves are roped for care, or to protect them from danger. In rodeos, calves are endangered for amusement. This "sport" violently and specifically preys upon baby animals, and then calls itself "family entertainment!" 

Read about how rodeo managed to make a cruel event even worse with calf jerk-downs.

After having his tail painfully twisted and raked over a fence rail, this calf ran out of the chute at top speed to escape his torment. The calf is roped so violently she becomes airborne before slamming into the ground. This process can break the calf's neck, back or legs.

After hitting the ground, the contestant runs to the calf, picks her up and body slams her again, knocking the wind out of her so he can tie her legs.

The calf, eyes bulging in terror, gasps for air with the rope stretched tight. Horses used in calf roping are trained to keep the rope pulled tight, or even to pulled the calf on the ground, just so they cannot break free. If they can breathe, the calves cry pitifully, as you would expect from any terrified baby.

The violent contortion of the calf's back during roping may result in injury or death.

Here is footage of what an actual "Jerk-down" looks like.