While there are no independent statistics on bull injuries, there are certainly instances of bucking bulls suffering catastrophic injuries, such as in this video. A 2017 study states that: “Results indicated bucking bulls were more likely than nonbucking bulls to develop horn and sinus disorders and musculoskeletal disorders of the vertebral region and pelvic limbs.” There is evidence that bucking bulls may suffer physical damage from the events they are forced to participate in. Otherwise, aggressive behaviour is manifested when bulls are provoked – such as being mounted by an unwanted rider or stressed by a flank strap.īucking bulls are also “trained” through the use of dummies, which are metal weights placed on their backs and released when they buck their hardest, thus conditioning the bull to buck harder to gain relief from the distress caused by the weight. For example, if they are isolated from the herd and put in an unfamiliar setting they are likely to be more aggressive. Their levels of aggressive behaviour are determined by a mix of breeding and environment. While bulls can exhibit aggressive behaviour, they are not the inherently “mean” or “ornery” animals described by PBR promoters. VHS exposed the use of an electric shock device at the Chilliwack rodeo’s bull-riding event in 2018. One 2017 study states: “The work to date suggests that eye white percentage is a meaningful indicator of emotion, with more eye whites indicating fear and frustration and less eye white associated with positive feelings.”Īlthough it is difficult to see what happens behind the scenes in the chutes before a bull is released, there have been instances at rodeos where bulls have been kicked, had their tails twisted or have been electrically shocked – all to ensure bulls leave the chutes angry, fearful and bucking wildly. Eye white has been identified as sign of fear and distress in cattle. One indicator of the bulls’ distress is the presence “eye white” (an increase in the size of the white of the eye surrounding the pupil), which can be seen in photos of bull-riding events. While the rodeo and bull-riding industries deny bulls are suffering, it is clear to any objective observer that the bulls’ wild bucking is an unnatural, negative experience. One study on bucking bulls puts it very clearly: “The purpose of the flank rope is to produce an annoyance to the bull.” This causes the bull discomfort, creating yet further negative stimulus to induce the bull to buck harder. In addition to being mounted by the unwanted rider, a “flank strap” is cinched tight around the bull’s torso just before it is released into the arena. The wild bucking seen at these events does not occur outside the arena. In other words, the bull feels it is under attack and is fighting for its life. ![]() This is thought to be an evolutionary response to a predator jumping on the bull’s back. The truth is that the bulls are selectively bred for a predisposition to buck, which means they are especially sensitive to any negative stimulus, such as the riders they are trying to buck off. ![]() PBR and rodeo promoters say the bulls are star “athletes” and are born to buck, even though they have no choice but to participate. In addition, they were exposed to loud fireworks despite the fact that sudden noise is known to cause distress in cattle.īull-riding has become popular in recent years, as fans see it as a sensational contest between “man and beast.” Few people feel empathy for the bulls, as they weigh us much as 2000 pounds and are seen as ferocious and powerful. Again, bulls were exploited for human amusement, obviously distressed as they bucked wildly to get unwanted riders off their backs. ![]() The other was a Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event at the Abbotsford Centre, a venue also owned by the City of Abbotsford. VHS complained to Abbotsford City Council, which owns the venue, but received no response. It’s clear that the bulls want no part of this sad spectacle. One was an “extreme rodeo” event held at Abbotsford’s Exhibition Park, some of which can be seen in this video. Earlier this year, we were dismayed to see two events staged in Abbotsford that saw bulls tormented and taunted for the sake of entertainment.
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