Despite accusations made by over emotional and exagerating  ‘Against Animal Cruelty’ members, Rodeo animals are not neglected, ill treated nor abused in any way, shape or form.  Rodeo members alike bless the life of living, working and playing with animals and understand from first hand experiences the needs and requirements of owning, maintaining and caring for these beautiful creatures. 

Animal Activists would have you believe that we tie a rope around bucking bulls and horses testicles.  This is a fallacy !  Who would even consider such an act of cruelty let alone place their hands within the chute against this fiery 800 pound beast to do such a thing.  Secondly, how do we rig this apparatus up on a mare which doesn’t have testicles? 
The fact is that the flank is a device used to encourage a bucking motion.  It is fully padded, sheep skin lined and is placed around the bull or horses belly area in the exact same position as a normal trouser belt and pulled to the same extent. 
The Oxford dictionary refers to the ‘flank’ as “the flesh between the rib and hip bone”.  This is the stomach area and is no way associated with an animals testicles. 
The RSPCA closely inspects all rodeo events in Tasmania and has had the fitting of a flank strap clearly demonstrated.  They also have un-restricted access to behind the scenes at any rodeo event and clear vision of all flanking of stock.  If animal neglect was present, the RSPCA would have had rodeos banned many years ago, but the fact is, there is no proof because Rodeo is not an act of cruelty.  It is providing a use for animals that are no longer beneficial in modern day society.  Bulls that have no pedigree or bloodlines for breeding, whose only other option in life is to be sent to the knackery to have their heads chopped off .  Horses that are no longer user friendly and whom in most cases have inflicted great injuries and suffering upon their previous owners. 
These animals are destined for a very bleak future and as harsh as this may sound, a future in a can of dog food.  They love to buck, and this is exactly what they do.  Buck for a maximum of 8 seconds per rodeo at 10 – 12 Rodeos per year.  This is a maximum of 96 seconds per year, or 1 minute and 36 seconds.  The rest of the time, these bulls and horses spend grazing on thousands of acres of land in the midlands being grain fed and in top condition for their next professional performance. 
Each and every one of these professional athletes have their own pet names and traits, character, habits and personalities that are well known by all competitors. 
Our Cowboys and Cowgirls truly respect our magnificent and truly athletic comrades, but none more so that the Stock Contractor or owner of the stock themselves who deal with them on a daily basis. 
Bulls and Horses are the livelihood of our sport.  To treat them with disrespect or abuse would be a disgrace and one that 100% of rodeo competitors, friends and supporters would despise.

As in any sport involving animals or humans for that matter 'accidents do happen' and it is with great regret from all cowboys and cowgirls that it does.  No person likes to see a living being in any pain or discomfort and and none more so than the Rodeo community.
Animal Liberationists woud have you belive that we purposely inflict these injuries upon our animals  which couldn't be furher from the truth.
To have an injury or a death of a highly respected athlete is a tradgedy in any circumstance and  none more so than Rodeo.  We do not encourage our bulls and horses to injure themselves, it is not within our nature, nor our benefit.  These animals need to be in top shape and condition to perform to their best of their bucking ability as 50% of any ride is judged upon the animals performance, the other 50% on the rider. 
As any person living in a true rural environment and living off the land will tell you, 'If you own livestock, You own deadstock'.  Accidents do happen and can happen at any time in any situation or  circumstances and more often than not at the most unexpected of times.  They are purely this though, an 'Accident'.   There are no 'If's and Butts and 'Nothing can be done to deter its outcome much to the regret of everyone involved.

Where will it turn to next ?  Animal Liberationists have their finger in every pie with regards to the use of  animals in sport !  Is the world heading for a future of tree hugging vegans in sandals or does the rural community stand up for it's reputation.
Animal Liberationsists are quick to condone rodeo actions with no reality for the bigger picture. 
If Rodeos were to be banned in Tasmania, who would take our 40 bulls, 50 horses, 70 Steers and calves ?    These Do Good Animal Activists would be sentencing our animals to death when they can live a fullfilling and caring life upon the professional rodeo circuit
They are trying to stop Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing and in the not too distant future it will be other horse and animal related sports.
Rodeo Communities throughout the world despise acts of Animal Cruelty.  Perhaps Animal Activists should spend a little more time in peoples backyards where the true reality of animal cruelty lies and not at all in the public eye.  Or is it a case of out of sight, out of mind ?