How Manly Is Rodeo Anyway?

"It's bad enough that adult animals are groped and abused at the rodeo, but it’s even more sinister that the young ones get beaten as well. Like any infant, a baby cow would much rather be nuzzled up safely next to his mother but cowboys put him in a tiny pen and poke, prod and kick him until he runs across the arena in fear for his life. His little heart pounds in terror as he runs to what he desperately hopes will be safety, but within seconds a lasso constricts around his neck, his tongue flies out of his mouth and he gasps for air as the rope begins to squeeze. He is then grabbed and hoisted into the air, only to be thrown to the ground with a rib-cracking thump. Mr. Marlborough with the sparkly belt buckle then ties his little legs and like a schoolyard bully who has just bloodied the nose of a timid child he raises his arms in the air as though his act of cruelty is worthy of applause and admiration. I don't get it. When did beating a baby animal become a sign of manliness?

You’d think one man beating on a calf would be bad enough, but there is also the team roping event. It's just as pathetic and inhumane as the singles event, but the cowboys get to pair up with their good buddy and do everything short of tear the little cow in half.

How is that family entertainment?

The idea of beating up gentle cows doesn't appeal to everyone so rodeo organizers thought it would be a good idea to bring in sheep. Nice, soft gentle sheep. For a small fee you can plop your child down on the back of a fluffy sheep and take pictures as the scared little creature tries her best to buck, or even walk with the weight of a child on her sore and tired back. There's a picture for the family album. Junior, who we hope will grow up to be a respected and contributing member of society, is being taught that it is acceptable to exploit anything or anyone who is weaker than him."