Rodeo events including calf roping and bull riding raise significant animal welfare concerns from stress, injury, and use of aversive equipment.
Rodeo animal welfare presents a contested ethical terrain between cultural tradition and animal welfare science. The use of flank straps to induce bucking behavior in bulls and horses, the sudden arrest of running calves, and the use of electric prods cause pain and stress that are not disputed by mainstream animal welfare science. The animals are trained and conditioned, but training does not eliminate acute stress responses during performance. Welfare improvements are possible through eliminating the most aversive equipment and practices while maintaining the sport in modified form.