difference? A horse's hide is only about half as thick as a bull's, and an average horse weighs about half as much as a big rodeo bull. A shock to the horses by an electric prod is relatively much stronger than the same shock to a bull.

I also have to wonder, what do they do to these horses to make them so mean? I've worked with horses my entire life; they're not naturally aggressive. They'd rather flee than fight. I've seen a few broncs, however, intentionally bite and kick fallen riders even when the rider no longer presented a threat. Obviously, these rank broncs were somehow taught to fear and hate man. Worst of all, when these horses are injured or no longer useful, they're often shipped to Canada or Mexico to slaughter houses.

The worst treated animals at the rodeo are the calves used for calf roping. These are babies - just three or four months old. They're sometimes too afraid to leave the chute, so they're often tortured into running. Of course, when they run, a mounted cowboy chases them and throws a rope around their neck or head. When the noose makes its goal, the roper's horse slides to a stop. Once the calf reaches the end of its tether, it's jerked back violently. This action has caused all kinds of injuries in calves, including broken necks, broken legs, broken ribs, and bruised trachea.

Even if the calf is okay after being roped and tied, sometimes the roping horse drags the poor animal around. The horse is trained to keep the rope tight by backing up, but some horses don't know when to stop, and a few cowboys don't seem to mind that the calf is choking to death or bleating in terror.

Another cruel event is steer roping, also called "steer busting." In this competition, a steer is roped and then rapidly forced to the ground by the rope's being pulled around the animal's hip. The steers legs are then tied, and the beast is dragged. Most states won't even allow steer roping, but the PRCA continues to hold the competitions, usually in remote arenas.

Many rodeo fans say that animal cruelty like the use of electric prods are never used on the faces of animals at professional rodeos. I, too, wanted to believe that, but it just isn't true. Several websites have videos of this and worse being done at PRCA rodeos around the nation, even though such practices are specifically against the PRCA's own rules.

While small, local rodeos are often culprits of cruelty, some of the most heinous acts have been conducted at high school rodeos, even some sanctioned by the National High School Rodeo Association. Online videos show animals being shocked, beaten, kicked, and subjected to other cruelties, even though such practices are specifically forbidden by the organization's own rulebook.

I enjoy some rodeo events. I have no problem with using animals in competitions or as part of entertainment. When the animals are subjected to suffering and abuse, however, it's no longer entertainment and the "good clean fun" that rodeos supposedly represent. Unless, of course, you're a sadist.

Learn more about this author, Holle Abee.
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