Are the animals treated well in the Calgary Stampede?

Question

Hey, I live in Calgary and I love the stampede. My favorite part would have to be the chuckwagon races...I love them! But sometimes I see the calf roping and steer wrestling etc, and it looks kind of painful...or at least nerve wracking for the animals. I hope it doesn't hurt the them. From what I've heard, a few accidents happen, but for the most part it's safe. I went on the website, but couldn't get many results.

So, from your experience and knowledge, are the animals at the stampede okay?

Answer 1

The calves and steers are tough, they get right back up after they are roped or wrestled.  They might be a little sore after but it is no worse than what they would go through on a farm for spring round up.  

And I think the cowboys get off worse than the bulls and broncos.

Answer 2

There have been some accidents in the past, and they've been bad. It's not uncommon that horses  involved in accidents during the chuckwagon races have to be put down. Usually, for months after a big accident, where animals are involved, there are waves of protests and calls to end the chuckwagons, and end the stampede all together. So in that regard the people who run the events take extra care to make sure the animals are kept safe and don't get hurt. If a cowboy get's injured, nobody cares, but that animals, that's bad.

So the answer is yes, they're treated very carefully, and there are many eyes watching to make sure it's so.