Arguments put forward in support of the use of horses, bulls, steers and calves in rodeos tend to focus on the fact that these events have been part of country town life for many years, that they are good for the local community and that the animals are well treated and they 'enjoy' their work.

But looking at participation in rodeos from the animals' perspective, there is very little evidence that these animals 'enjoy' the experience. Rodeo horse and bulls buck repeatedly as an instinctive reaction to the discomfort of being ridden and to the presence of flank straps which have been tightened around their underbelly. Horses and cattle are prey animals and their reaction to being ridden in this way is the same as their reaction to being attacked by a predator, a situation where they are subject to increased stress, anxiety and panic. In many rodeo events, horses and bulls will hurl themselves at solid objects in order to rid themselves of the rider. Only when the rider has been thrown and the flank straps loosened do they quieten down. The experience of young calves during calf roping events is even more stressful, as these animals are very young and have no prior experience of the rodeo environment when they are lassoed, thrown on their sides and tied up at speed in front of the crowd.

RSPCA Australia does not believe that there is any justification for subjecting animals to this level of stress and potential for injury, when the event is carried out only for the purpose of human entertainment or sport.