For More Information:
Mike Hausmann
Media Coordinator
National High School Rodeo Association
1-800-466-4772
mike@nhsra.org

National High School Rodeo Association
Animal Welfare Facts

• The NHSRA was first established in 1949. Rules for the humane and responsible care and treatment of animals within high school rodeos were established from the very beginning. This was five years prior to the founding of the Humane Society of the United States.

• At the 2005 National High School Finals Rodeo in Gillette, WY, veterinarians reported just three illnesses/ injuries to rodeo stock out of 4,006 runs. This calculates to an illness/ injury rate of .0007%.

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

• In the early stages of organization of the NHSRA, an animal welfare committee was formed to monitor and regulate the humane and responsible care and treatment of stock used in high school rodeos.

• The average bucking horse or bull works an average of 5 to 8 minutes per year in the arena.

• NHSRA rules prohibit the use of sharpened spurs.

• The NHSRA has more than 20 strictly enforced rules specifically designed for the humane treatment of rodeo livestock.

• 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 quality feed and adequate exercise.

• NHSRA rules require inspection of livestock before each performance. Only healthy livestock will be used.

• NHSRA rules require veterinarians to be immediately available for all rodeo performances and sections of slack.

• The horse flank strap is fleece-lined in the flank area, which can be compared to the waist of a human. If the strap were too tight, the animal would refuse to move, much less buck. No sharp or cutting objects are allowed in the strap.

• NHSRA rules regulate the use of cattle prods. Standard cattle prods shall be used as little as possible, and only on the hip or shoulder of an animal. Once a roughstock animal is in the chute, no cattle prods are to be used, except when a horse stalls and then only with the permission of the stock contractor, judge and contestant. Cattle prods are not used on bulls once they are in the chute.

• NHSRA rules limit the amount of time animals can be transported. Adequate feed and water is provided during transportation.

• The National High School Rodeo Association Board of Directors will levy a fine on any stock contractor or personnel guilty of mistreatment of stock.

• Any animal that becomes excessively excited while in the chute, or in any way appears to be in danger of injuring itself, is released from the chute.

•Through licensed veterinarians, the NHSRA has tracked the rate of illnesses/ injuries to rodeo livestock at the National High School Finals Rodeo for several years. An average of the past twelve years, where more in-depth studies were conducted, shows an illness/ injury rate of .0016% from an average of 3,906 rodeo runs per year.

• The NHSRA requires that an animal welfare specialist is on hand at every National High School Finals Rodeo. A licensed veterinarian is required to be on grounds at every NHSFR.

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