A Class Act
by
Verlin Pitthere have been some fights about animal rights and a sport called rodeo.T
There are some folks tellin' good cowpokes to stop their wild west show.
That rope they pull might hurt that bull and cause him a lot of pain.
We'd all feel bad if they made him mad and what would anyone gain?
Then there's the broncs they ride that they kick in the side and rake hard with their spurs.
Broncriders are coarse when it comes to the horse and the pain he incurs.
The rider gains fame but it's a cryin' shame about the bronc he rode.
If you care in the least, think about the beast and not the rider he's gonna unload.
See the rider there flyin' through the air, the one with the hoof in his mouth.
You can tell of course that he's bitin' that horse on his journey South.
Such cruelty you will seldom see, anyplace but in a rodeo.
That rodeo clown who caught a horn goin' down, it's all a part of the show.
In the saddlebronc event, little time is spent on considerin' the horse's welfare.
When you're flyin' high up there in the sky, there's plenty of time to care.
That thumpin' sound when the rider hits the ground is the sound of teeth bitin' dirt.
Before you pick a side in this wild ride, consider who was really hurt.
Then it's back to that clown who's runnin' around teasin' that poor old bull.
They say he makes good money, but it ain't that funny when he gives it's ear a pull.
It caused some hearts to fail when he grabbed it's tail and went along for the ride.
But the curtain came down when the bull caught the clown and stuck a horn in his side.
An eight second ride on a big bull's hide can be a real thrill,
But it's an even bet you'd best not forget he's wearin' horns that'll kill.
If the mental state of a bull ain't on the list you pull, will you feel guilt?
Are you way behind on a horse's state of mind, is that the way you're built?
Those who say they care about a bull's welfare should take an honest look.
That old bull will soon be full and drinkin' cool water from a babblin' brook.
That noble steed will be eatin' oat seed and standin' in tall grass.
Rodeo stock are a stockman's flock and he treats 'em like high class.Verlin Pitt
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ANIMAL WELFARE GUIDELINES Animal Welfare vs. Animal Rights
An important distinction to make when dealing with animal issues is the difference between animal welfare and animal rights. Animal Welfare is based on principles of humane care and use. Animal Rights organizations that support animal rights philosophies seek to end the use and ownership of animals. Animal rights organizations seek to abolish by law: the raising of farm animals for food and clothing, rodeos, circuses, zoos, hunting, trapping, fishing, the use of animals in lifesaving biomedical research, the use of animals in education and the breeding of pets.
Members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association believe, as do most people, that animals should be treated humanely. The PRCA staunchly protects its animals with rules designed to insure proper care and treatment. There are 60 rules and regulations that govern all aspects of care, treatment, travel and competition. A veterinarian is required to be on-site at all PRCA rodeo performances..
A 2001 survey conducted at 67 PRCA rodeos indicates that the injury rate for animals was so low as to be statistically negligible. Of 85,638 animal exposures, just 25 were injured, according to data compiled by on-site veterinarians. That translates to an injury rate of less than five-hundredths of 1 percent (0.00029, to be exact).All of the veterinarians who took part in the survey reported that the animals were well cared for and the rodeo grounds were in good condition. Other surveys throughout the years have also shown that animal injury rates in professional rodeo are extremely low.
PRCA Animal Welfare Rules
The 60 rules and regulations that are a part of the PRCA's extensive animal welfare program are enforced by professional rodeo judges on-site at each PRCA sanctioned event. The following are a few of the rules that safeguard the animals:
- No locked rowels, or rowels that will lock on spurs may be used on bareback horses or saddle broncs. Spurs must be dulled.
- Animals for all events shall be inspected before the draw. No sore, lame, or sick animals, or animals with defective eyesight, shall be permitted in the draw at any time.
- A rodeo committee shall insure that a veterinarian is present for every performance and section of slack.
- If a member abuses an animal by any unnecessary, non-competitive or competitive action, he may be disqualified for the remainder of the rodeo and fined $250 for the first offense, with that fine progressively doubling with each offense thereafter. Any member guilty of mistreatment of livestock anywhere on the rodeo grounds shall be fined $250 for the first offense, with that fine progressively doubling with any offense thereafter.
- No stock shall be confined or transported in vehicles for a period beyond 24 hours without being properly fed, watered and unloaded.
All team roping cattle shall be protected by horn wraps.
VERLIN PITT
Verlin Pitt was born and raised in Lander, Wyoming, and has lived here most of his life. When he was 12 years old he lived in eastern Montana, where his father had an interest in a ranch near Richey, Montana. He says that he went throughsome of the roughest winters he's ever known during that time. While he has lived other places, the mountains around Lander always call him back. He is currently a Deputy Sheriff for the Fremont County Sheriff's Office. Besides writing poetry, his hobbies include hunting in the hills for metal artifacts. So far he has found old rusty beer cans and horseshoe nails, but he keeps searching. He says that he can tell from experience that shoeing horses and mules was a profitable trade, during the time Pioneers were heading West. My high dollar metal detector has found it's share of rusty horseshoe nails along the Oregon trail. He sometimes think the horses and mules were the only individuals who lost anything.
Verlin Pitt writes cowboy poetry because that is what he is all about. He loves the West and its people; and hopes that the Western traditions will be passed on to future generations. His poetry is featured on a new CD- Way Out West; $13.50 postpaid. For more information contact Verlin Pitt, 788 Vance Dr., Lander, Wyoming 82520.
He welcomes your comments and inquiries :
Under copyright protection. The poem on this web page may not be excerpted, copied, or reproduced, used or performed in any form (graphic, electronic or mechanical) without the express written permission of the author.
