The dark side of Stampede

Staaaaaaampeeeede! This could be the war cry of Calgary, although it’s certainly more a cry of elation than one of bloody battle. And why not? We’re entitled to our fun, and the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is without a doubt one of the most fun events in Canada, if not all of North America – see Anna’s post on the Calgary Stampede Survival Guide for the best ways to celebrate this awesome time. But while you spend this week reveling in your Western roots, keep in mind that the Stampede has many sides, including a more sinister one.

I’m not talking about the fatty foods, the vertiginous attractions, or even the occasional person acting a little too rowdy; I’m talking about the rarely-told story of the Stampede’s show animals. The fact is that some aspects of the Calgary Stampede really are a bloody battle, such as chuckwagon racing, bull riding and calf roping.

In 2010’s Stampede, six horses were killed, bringing the total death toll of this event since 1986 to 59 animals. In recent years, the Stampede estimates that it has involved over 7,500 animals per year, but if you’re starting to think that six dead out of 7,500+ in 2010 is a decent ratio, think again. Many of these incidents are avoidable, and all are unforgivable. Furthermore, this tally doesn’t include the suffering of all the animals that don’t die.

See the videos below and be the judge yourself. Are these animals being treated humanely, and if not, can we really justify this form of entertainment?

An example of calf roping. Notice how the calf is completely manhandled by the cowboy, and that his only concern seems to be speed in order to win: he yanks the calf back with his lasso, roughly drops the calf onto the ground, and simply leaves it once he’s done, while the poor calf gets dragged by his horse (who is no doubt extremely uncomfortable itself with the situation). But it gets even more gruesome: calves are only babies. Child abuse is condemned even in places that allow other types of cruelty, but apparently, when it comes to animals, it’s allowed.
A reminder that these events aren’t only dangerous to the animals: cowboys are often injured as well. Pay special attention to how the announcer handles the situation, trying to cover up the reality of a serious injury. They do the same when horses are hurt – the events are for pure entertainment, and no one admits it when something goes wrong.
An anti-Stampede video. Take note of their comparison between these Stampede “traditions” and others, like seal hunting and dog fighting. Why do we want to continue these brutal, violent acts?
A video of a horse’s death at the Cheyenne Rodeo, which shows just how bad it gets. WARNING: THIS VIDEO IS GRAPHIC, particularly from 0:45-0:50, 1:00-1:20, and 1:55-2:20.

The true problem with the Stampede is that despite people’s best efforts to control the animals, this has proven impossible. Last year, a horse died in the saddle bronc event because he kept bucking, even after his rider was off, until it broke its own back (source: CTV). An even worst incident took place in 2005, when over 200 horses spooked during a celebratory trail ride on a bridge over the Bow River. Nine of these horses were pushed by their peers into the water and drowned. Many handlers and experts were present, of course, but this didn’t stop the tragedy from occurring. The Stampede is simply too stressful a situation to handle horses in, because their fear makes them completely unpredictable.

I hope this article has opened your eyes to this aspect of the Stampede, even if you disagree with my perspective. Please weigh in with your opinion below. What do you think of the Stampede’s handling of animals: do officials do the best they can in a bad situation, or is there nothing to worry about? Is it worth continuing this practice, or should we eliminate it completely? Leave a comment, and share this post on Facebook too if you’re so inclined.

If you’re interested in more information, or if you want to take action, visit the following links:

Humane Society International’s article on the Stampede, as well as their Calgary Stampede Press Package
Jo-Anne McArthur’s article refuting common arguments to maintain the Stampede’s animal shows
The Stampede’s response to criticisms of their animal welfare policy. The webpage includes some very passionate comments from past Stampede customers – almost none of the comments are pro-animal rodeo
The anti-Stampede Facebook Group
A list of simple actions you can take to protest the Stampede’s treatment of animals
Rodeocruelty.com
Laura Schroder’s Rabble.ca article on the controversy of animal use in the Stampede
A CTV.ca article on horse deaths in the 2010 Stampede