Some bulls also show excessive salivation or drooling, where their saliva is thicker and contains more mucous than normal (see photo 2), indicative of the animal experiencing fear or stress.Ī study of bull behaviour at rodeos determined that nearly one third of animals assessed showed signs of distress leading up to the start of bull-riding events and that those who did not react may have either become habituated to the aversive situation or have given up thereby being forced to endure the negative experience. In some instances, bulls are so stressed that they then charge the rider on the ground. Only when the rider has been thrown or dismounts and the flank strap is loosened do they quieten down. It is not uncommon to see bulls attempt to escape the chute as a flight stress-response (see photo 1) or hurl themselves at solid objects to rid themselves of the rider or flank strap. The ‘fight-or-flight’ response is a survival instinct which the animal is unable to consciously control. Cattle are prey animals and their reaction to being ridden in this way is the same as their reaction to being attacked by a predator, a situation where they experience increased fear, stress and panic. Key animal welfare issues Fear and stressīased on observed behaviour, the evidence indicates that bull riding is a stressful, frightening experience for the bull: there is no evidence that the bulls ‘enjoy’ the experience.īulls, as well as rodeo horses, buck repeatedly as an instinctive reaction to being kicked with spurs and to the tightened flank strap around their sensitive underbelly. As with other rodeo events, the RSPCA is opposed to bull riding because of the potential for significant injury, suffering and stress to the animals involved. Rodeos are held in all Australia states and territories except for the Australian Capital Territory, where they are prohibited.
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