Animal Welfare Facts

Rules for the humane and responsible care and treatment of animals within National High School Rodeos were established from the very beginning.

Contestants in any National Student Rodeo Association sanctioned event will be disqualified for any mistreatment of rodeo livestock.

The average bucking horse or bulls works an average of 5 to 8 minutes per year in the arena,

Rodeo livestock live long and healthy lives.  Many of today’s top bucking horses are 20 years of age and many bulls are still active buckers at 15 years of age.  Veterinarians attribute it to the good care they receive, which includes good quality feed and adequate exercise.

Some of the most misrepresented equipment in rodeo includes the flank strap and spurs.  Special interest groups inaccurately portray the way those items are used in the rodeo arena.

Bucking animals are born, not made.  The flank strap cannot magically turn a placid animal into a bucker, according to experts.  When placed on an animal naturally inclined to buck, the flank strap simply augments the bucking action, encouraging a bucking bronc or bull to kick high with its back feet. 

The flank strap must utilise a quick-release fastener no sharp or cutting objects may be placed between the strap and the animal.  The flank strap is not a device that causes pain, it produces mild pressure on the flanks much like a belt do to a human.  If the flank strap is too tight it restricts the muscles in the flank and reduces the bucking action.

NSRA ules prohibit the use of sharpened spurs, locked rowels or rowels that will lock when used in the saddle bronc riding or bareback riding.  Specifically, acceptable spurs have rowels that are blunt.

Animals will be inspected before the draw, and no sore, lame, sick or injured animal shall be permitted in the draw at any time. 

Chutes must be constructed to prevent injury to an animal.

The arena shall be as free as possible of rocks, holes and any unnecessary obstacles.

All team roping cattle must be protected with horn wraps.

All chain, metal and wire tie-downs, nosebands and bosals must be completely covered where it comes into contact with the horse’s skin.

The placing of fingers in eyes, lips or nose of steers while wrestling same is forbidden.

Clowns are not to abuse stock in any fashion

Time event cattle will meet the following weight restrictions:

Calf Roping Calves:         Minimum weight 180lbs

                                       Maximum weight 250lbs

Steer Wrestling:               Minimum weight 450lbs

                                       Maximum weight 550lbs

Breakaway Roping:         Minimum weight 180lbs

                                       Maximum weight 350lbs

All animal welfare rules are to be enforced on the entire grounds of any approved high school rodeo.

The NSRA makes every effort to ensure that all contestants, contractors and committees are fully aware of rules regarding humane treatment of all livestock.