In what seems like an annual event the animal lovers are once again up in arms concerning the treatment of horses and other livestock at the largest Stampede in North America. And seemingly every year something happens to add fuel to this smoldering fire.
Last night a crash occurred in the ever popular Chuck Wagon races that resulted in the death of two horses. Tyler Helmig, a 45-year-old driver from Leduc, Alberta, was thrown from his chuckwagon after a violent collision with the already downed lead team of horses of Gary Gorst as they rounded the first turn of the seventh heat. Tyler was taken to hospital with some broken bones, but his injuries are not thought to be life threatening. That is better than the fate of two of the horses, one died almost immediately from the impact, and the other had to be euthanized because of a broken leg.
The Chucks are an inherently dangerous sport, lots of horses, riders, and equipment in a confined space going hell for leather! The driver has made a conscious decision to be part of the spectacle, but as the animal activists convincingly argue, the horses have not.
I have to think that with such wide coverage of the Stampede in the worldwide media that events like this must be putting a severe strain on continuing some of the events. There has been criticism for many of the events held. Calf roping while exciting, fast, and a true demonstration of synchronicity between man and horse, would seem to offer little fun for the calf as it gets lassoed, brought to the ground and hog tied.
Then there is the bull riders, at first sight there seems to be little wrong with this ‘sport’, lets face it the bull is way bigger than the guy with the IQ that matches his Stetson size. Who in their right mind would want to climb on one of these grumpy animals? And yes, most of the injuries incurred are to the guy with the concussion induced diminishing IQ. However if you look into the ‘sport’ a little deeper you find a very interesting aspect, what makes the Bull grumpy? Well it might have something to do with the rope tied around a certain very delicate, and in a bulls life important part of its anatomy, and the rider who is pulling the damn rope! Now that would make me pretty damn grumpy as well!
The Calgary Stampede has a long history, and from a revenue perspective represents millions of dollars every year from the worldwide visitors it attracts. The question though, is in this ‘politically Correct’ world we live in just how much longer can it remain in its current form?
Simon Barrett
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12 users commented in " Calgary Stampede Mired In Controversy Again "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackYou state the Calgary stampede has a long history, and attracts big crowds, so did witch burning, and gladiators fighting lions etc, its certainly cruel to the animals and should be stopped.
Any of you people that are up in arms over the treatment of these rodeo animals have obviously never been in a position to work in this environment. The rodeo industry is no different than any large scale ranch except for the payout. We work our butts off every day ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our animals. Sure we hate like hell to see any thing get sick, injured or even worse killed or put down due to injury, but crap happens!!! Some people like to think its cruel what is done to these animals. I’d like to see them same people get into the ring and get run over, kicked and stomped on and then decide just how cruel things are and for whom. You bleeding heart city slickers need to get over yourselves and step into the real world for a change. Any self respecting rodeo commitee will make sure to the fullist that the safety of the livestock is number one. This is what the Stampede committee does. I have no affiliation with any rodeo committee, just have competed in the past and know a lot of people involved with the sport. As for the wagon races, accidents happen. No driver will willingly put his or anyone else’s lives or horses in any danger.
According to the country bumpkins all the pain and suffering these animals go through is solely for the entertainment of us city slickers and of course for those big cheques the Stampede Board hands out. Fact is I don’t think I’ve ever seen the country bumpkins lift a finger without getting a big cheque from us city slickers. They can’t let a year go by on the farm without at least one fat cheque from the taxpayer. We just added another Billion to the farm welfare fund the other day. You know how a farmer doubles his income…He puts in a second mailbox. When I lived in the country I heard many a farmer say “who will grow your food if not us?’ I always answered “Probably somebody who is better at the job and who wouldn’t need to be bailed out by the taxpayer year after year.” The country bumpkins sure talk of self reliance but it’s all talk. If you’re looking for welfare Cadillac’s look to the country. The single city folk on welfare in Alberta get $400 a month and can’t even afford a bus ticket let alone food.
Three horses had to be put down at the stampede last night. Why is my tax paying money going to rehabilitate the driver causing this accident. It may sould horrific, but why is he not given the same treatment as the horses. I know it is because we are suppose to be civilized humans but how can so many of the human race be so cruel to animal just for money.
I have been so disappointed in the front page reporting of Central Alberta LIfe, Innisfail Province, Red Deer Advocate, Calgary Herald and Sun for all the horrible prictures portraying animal abuse. To see a calf with its tongue hanging out, chocked with a rope is not a pretty picture. Mr Feidler of the Red Deer Life got this so called “front page” cover story which gave ten seconds of glory to cowboy Bruce Dunham. To think of the fear, pain, and stress this poor animal when through being dragged by the neck. A dog dragging case this year ended in two young men in court for animal cruelty. What is the difference?
Rodeos are nothing more than a spectable of cruelty. Animals are prodded, kicked, spurred, cinched, tail-twisted and ear bitten to make them act wildly our of fear. All I read is the animals are well treated, world class rodeo stock. Does this mean they are immune to pain and fear? Success of the rodeo is dependent on the exploitation and mal-treatment of animals and the worst part is it is classified as entertaiment. Sic
No, I am not a so-called crazy animal rights activist or a city slicker. I grew up on a farm and am aware that roping animals is needed in ranching life but it does not need to be be repeated and glorified in a public arena for monetary gain. I am also aware that animals are slaughtered for human consumption but I hope it doesn’t mean that this will be turned into some kind of money making perverted contest too. Yes, I like my leather shoes and purses but not if it means abusing animals to bet them.
To the Calgary Stampede Ass’n, Daines Rodeo, and all the little towns around Alberta why not try to have some sort of enterainment without terrifying and stressing animals. I know they make lots of money for you but why can’t the cowboys do the entertaining by singing, trick roping or doing something without abusing animals. Maybe they could chase each other around the ring, drag each other around by the neck until their tongue hung out and tie each other feet up in seconds.
The only good part is I don’t have to buy the Calgary Herald or Sun. but if the Red Deer LIfe, Innisfail Province and all other local newpapers continue reporting and picturing such cruelty in future issues, I would like them to stop putting them in my mail box. I don’t want them, even if they are free
you animal rights people are idiots.
ive cant believe the nonsensical drivel people are spouting… find something better to do with your time.
observer in england thank you for your reasoned commentary. It’s heartening to know the birthplace of the bard is still capable of producing debaters with such eloquence. We are so glad you took the time out of your busy day to bless us with these pearls of wisdom. Bravo Sir.
I just want to address one issue in this that keeps coming up and is blantly false. The flank strap used on bulls and bucking horses is NOT tied to their genitals. It acts similarly to something stuck to a cat’s paw. They will shake it till it’s gone then go about their business. In the case of bucking horses, a good percentage of them are mares (female). What are you going to tie a strap to then?? For the men commenting, think if a strap were tied to you and it hurt everytime you jumped. If you are smart you would stop jumping. That is what would happen to a bull or horse in the same situation if a strap were tied to the genitals. Bucking in both animals is a natural response that some animals do and some do not. It can not be trained into them or trained out.
I think that the animal rights activists should protest on all the highways about the poor wild animals getting hit by cars and semi’s. At the rodeo the stock is treated better than your own children. Maybe your soccer and football should be stopped because leather from animals is used to make the balls, hey don’t say that plastic is used because guess what animal by-products make plastic. You animal right’s activists better check how much plastic, makeup etc is in your house. I think you need to spend more time and energy finding ways to feed the poor in our country. Us farmers know how to.
I challange any animal rights activist to travel with a rider for the season, you would find that the animals are the most important thing in the sport, They get better health care than most people and their every need is catered to with no mind of expenses, these animals are thought of as best friends and everyone around theme love them and respect them.
I know rodeo, and for all you city prisses, it’s harsh. I’ve been around these animals all my life. We treat our horses to the best of our ability. If you try to stop rodeo, that’s like stopping half of North america’s heart. If you want to try and stop rodeo, you can take a bull horn and put it you know where! The girth (thing that makes the bull buck on its flank) is in a sensitive spot, which is like an armpit to humans, and is often tickilish, which means the bull just tries to shake it, because its sensitive to that. Chucks are another sport. These horses are put on bute, MSM, and glucosamine, to ensure that they are healthy, and they get a better life that most owners and out riders. City slickers dont deserve a right to say anything about rodeo, cause if you don’t know the sport, you can’t hate the sport. Animal rights people just have too much time on there hands and just want to make a fuss. To Nite Owl, you think you know everything clearly, no actually, you stupid city slickers are the ones paying for the stampede to happen, and they can get off better than you, the government has to pay you straight into your pocket, because what does your job do? Publish a magazine, yeah I thought so. If you haven’t done rodeo, or owned, worked, or even tried ranching, it is harder than you think. You try taking care of livestock, oh wait! You wouldn’t be able to! You would get cow manure on your high heels, hopefully slip and fall! These animals mean the wor ld to us, and you can’t take a part of life away from us! You might as well take cars and any type of transportation away, because it causes more accidents then Rodeo… Have a problem, reply to me !!! :ANGRY!:
P.S. Nite Owl…
Rancher’s are tax payers too (nice move smoothe guy)
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