The life of a rodeo animal athlete

The animals in rodeo live a pretty fine life, often better than their counterparts on ranches or small hobby farms.

From the calves that are roped in tie-down roping to the bucking horse with over a decade of experience in the rodeo circuit, animals in rodeo have an injury rate that is many percentage points below that of bovines in feed lots and on the open range, or horses on trails or in other forms of competition.

Rodeo stock is evaluated by licensed veterinarians at every stage of their work experience. They travel in large, roomy stock trailers that are regulated and inspected. Their experience in transport needs to keep them comfortable, or they would be too stressed to perform well. The average work performance time for bucking ("rough") stock is about five minutes a year.

Rodeo stock contract companies value horses and bulls that really like to buck. Breeding for this natural tendency has become a science in rodeo, just as it is in horse racing, jumping or eventing. Any animal that doesn't demonstrate this desire is culled from the rodeo world, with other life options still open.

Stock contractors will pay five figures for good bucking stock, and their animals can be worth six figures to their company. A reputation for good stock makes a stock company highly appreciated by cowboys. The better the buck, the higher the cowboy's points.

These animals are an investment for a stock contract company. Proper care and treatment makes their value grow as they develop as competitors. There is no return for any animal in poor condition, financially or by reputation.

When they go to work, the flank strap that causes horses and bulls to buck cannot be drawn too tight or the animal will respond by not bucking. Veteran bucking stock knows that the strap means it's time to do what they do best-buck hard and try to eject cowboys in less than eight seconds. Their athleticism is thrilling to watch.

Before a rodeo begins, officials investigate fences, gates and paddocks to be sure there are no sharp objects, such as wires or splintered wood, or other obstacles that could result in injury to the animals. They also evaluate the hay supplied by the local rodeo committee to make sure it is toxin-free and of good quality. Water supply must be readily available and clean, with tanks in multiple locations to avoid crowding.

Timed-event steers and calves, used in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping, are given trial runs before any rodeo in which they are used to be sure they are not lame and are generally healthy.

At Sisters Rodeo, these ranch stock animals are tested at the rodeo grounds in the Central Oregon Shootout on Wednesday, June 11, at noon. Spectators are invited to this free event, which also raises funds for the Columbia River Rodeo Circuit Cowboy Crisis Fund with a silent auction after the Shootout.

The West was settled by men and women who understood the variety of uses of horses and cattle. Bucking, roping and working as a team were part of this lifestyle, where cowboys and girls bragged their way into competitions between each other and the animals in their care. Their relationship with their working animals is based on appreciation, shared experience and genuine emotional attachment.

Rodeo became a sport of its own, and the respect for the animals involved was as natural as the lifestyle they propagated. Regulation dates back to 1947, when the PRCA established rules for proper care and treatment of rodeo animals. With such strict supervision, injuries to animals in rodeo is less than five-hundredths of one percent.

Sisters Rodeo begins June 11 with Xtreme Bulls, followed by four rodeo performances June 13-15. For tickets and information, call the ticket hotline at 541-549-0121 or 1-800-827-7522, or visit the ticket office at 220 W. Cascade Ave. in Sisters. For information visit www.sistersrodeo.com