I was shocked to see an article about how exciting etc. rodeos are in a Spanish horse magazine. I have started a letter suggesting that there is another side to these horrible spectacles, including material from HSUS - does anyone have any other (web) references that could be included?
Thanks
Rita

Its amazing when you type into Google - Rodeo and animal welfare - how much you get from Rodeo associations etc defending it!

I would also have started with HSUS but since you've got that already here are a couple of links that might be good.

Interview with a vet who turned away from rodeo: http://www.sharkonline.org/?P=0000000480

Peta's factsheet (but no good refs):
http://www.peta.org/factsheet/files/FactsheetDisplay.asp?ID=69

Wikipedia has a bit about animal cruelty on their rodeo page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodeo

Haven't managed to find any good solid info sites on animal welfare rodeo concerns though.

Great that you're writing a letter though, really can make a difference (I work for WSPA and we follow-up supporter's letters with organising interventions etc when we can, or forward them to someone who can do something)

Suz

Thanks, Suz - I did the Google thing, but, as you say, refs. are a bit hard to come by. There's actually a "European Ante-Rodeo Coalition" - surprising how many places stage these events - with a German vets' paper (in English) which is very good. One of the problems is that lasting physical damage is rare (according to the US vets involved in in-show control) -16 "accidents" out of 33,991 animals. No account is taken of bruising, stress, constant travelling, inadecuate care, straps, etc etc etc. But then, the article is in a very sport-conscious magazine,and people who bus their horses all over Spain and the rest of Europe at the drop of a medal, might not get the point!
I'll send in my letter, however - perhaps getting extra signatures would be the way to go.
Rita