# Rodeos

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rodeos/70767>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [June 30, 2001, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rodeos/70767 "2001-06-30T20:53:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rodeos/70767/1 "2001-06-30T20:53:20Z")

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Years ago I would see spots on TV–usually late at night–prepared by animal-rights organizations and claiming that horses, bulls, etc., used in rodeos are deliberately fitted with a strap that hurts their external genitalia, so naturally they will buck. Any Dopers have the facts on this?

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**Author:** ![Carina42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Carina42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carina42)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2001, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rodeos/70767/2 "2001-06-30T21:11:48Z")

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True. Bucking straps (either around the genitals or the stomach), electric prods & spurs are all painful methods of provoking a basically peaceful & benign animal into aggression & panic. Various states have outlawed these practices, I am not sure which…still legal in Colorado, though.

Rodeos used to be a good way for cowboys & gals to show off skills that were used to control herds, break horses, & catch livestock for all sorts of reasons…branding, giving medical attention, etc. Now they are pure entertainment for the masses. I’ve been to several rodeos; & while I enjoy watching herding, penning & barrel racing & so on, I think many of the acts are cruel & unecessary.