Rodeo cruelty

As a retired farmer I am joining in the growing numbers of people who want to see the cruelty to animals in rodeos ended.

I am aghast that, for example, Federated Farmers (who have in writing supported rodeos to me) can come out with supportive statements unconditionally supporting something that places extreme stress and physical pain and irritation on animals and I do not understand that any person who is in the position of making a living from farming animals can condone such barbaric outdated practices

Yards; crushes and head bails were invented to restrain animals in a humane way so why are people strangling animals and tying straps around sensitive places on animals in the name of sport or fun?

I wonder if Federated Farmers and others who support rodeos, have grasped the thinking of the rest of the populace that people will eat meat and use the fibres of animals so long as the ‘‘story’’ and handling and respect for the animals is always at the forefront of farmers and their representatives minds and actions

Not only does my background include dairy; sheep and beef farming but I have a long association with horse sports across most disciplines; I do not condone cruelty nor stress factors being used on any animal for any sport; and true animal sports people do not use outdated nor harsh practices.

Alice Hicks Putaruru