Opinion: Utah rodeos are a tradition of cruelty disguised as entertainment

Utah has proudly upheld the Days of ‘47 Rodeo convention for over a century, commemorating the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. However, behind the spectacle lies a dark reality: the widespread mistreatment of animals participating in the rodeo’s various performances.

Historically, rodeos have symbolized the bravery and skill of Western cowboys. Events like calf roping, steer wrestling, bull and bronco riding test the cowboy’s resilience and courageousness. To induce the exciting performances expected by paying customers, animals used in the rodeo are subjected to various practices designed to intensify the act.

While bulls can be innately aggressive, rodeos will weaponize their instincts against them by using cattle prods in the chute to agitate them. Tight bucking straps are placed around the animal’s abdomen to induce pain and create the desired bucking motion. Even after the cowboy falls off, the animal continues to buck, indicating pain from the strap rather than the rider. Similarly, spurs are used to further agitate and induce agony.

Is this real bravery? Or an exaggerated performance art for the audience? This relentless stress often results in severe injuries, including broken bones, torn ligaments, punctured lungs and internal organ damage. Injured bulls, at times, are deemed worthless and sent to slaughterhouses, highlighting their expendability.

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Opinion: Utah rodeos are a tradition of cruelty disguised as entertainment

Opinion: Utah rodeos are a tradition of cruelty disguised as entertainment

Opinion: Utah rodeos are a tradition of cruelty disguised as entertainment

Opinion: Utah rodeos are a tradition of cruelty disguised as entertainment

Opinion: Utah rodeos are a tradition of cruelty disguised as entertainment