Dear Editor,
I am completely disgusted with seeing photos of bucking broncs at rodeos, whose sponsors and organizers claim are well cared for, in the newspapers as exciting entertainment. Why are these animals’ basic needs not being met?
The photo you ran on page 26A in last weeks Leader is a perfect example; if you look at that particular horse’s hooves, you can’t ignore the fact that they are ridiculously long and ragged. This horse’s entire 1,000-1,200 lbs is hanging from the sensitive laminae that attach the hoof wall (outside of the hoof) to the bone inside the hoof. Every time that horse lands on those front feet, it causes a painful shearing force that tears that connection more. This is flat-out neglect. These horses’ basic needs are not being met. Why are the owners and breeders of these so-called bucking horses not made accountable for their animals’ welfare? After all, they are making money off of exploiting them for our entertainment. Is it not bad enough that they are made to buck? They have to make sure they are in even greater pain to make it more exciting? Is it because they’re afraid the horses would buck too hard, or put up too much of a fight if he wasn’t in pain? Just look at the horse’s facial expression. Does he look happy? Ears pinned, flared nostrils, mouth wide open just looking for some way (or someone) to take out his frustration. If I were him, I’d be looking for someone to land on.
Kristin Lejeune
Hoof care provider, Barrhead
