Poobah, stop trying to speak for everyone else. You were the one that brought the topic of slavery into this. I wsa simply refering to the rodeo and pointed out that you may not want to attend if you know you won't like it. Take the money you save and donate it to some worthy cause.

gmaof3, thanks for the advice. I guess no matter how hard one tries, one cannot get blood from a turnip.

Oh Robot_Lord_of_Tokyo, South Dakota is very nice, this time of year.... You NEED to go THERE!

Robot_Lord_of_Tokyo, are you old enough to even be on these boards? You don't even say what a "Mocha" is... I have mocha in my coffee on weekends. Are you sentimental over chocolate?
Whatever....

"Animals are animals. They were put on God's green Earth to serve US."
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That, is the most arrogant, ignorant, THING, I have ever seen on these comment boards. A total disregard for life and it's meaning. Thank your god that you never hurt my Mocha. Your god never would have heard your thanks.

lol. poobah you are funny.

mzat74... just let it go with poobah. Its an uphill battle.
Animals are animals. They were put on God's green Earth to serve US. To feed us, to clothe us, to use as we see fit. I love all the pets I have had in the past 52 years. They have become my children... to some degree.
That said, horses, sheep, steer, etc, have other uses, beyond pets, for the most part.
I understand people who are so invested in animals that it clouds their reasoning. There is no way to sway PETA supporters as there is no way to sway the rest of us, who see an animal for what it is.
For those here who are so invested in animals, I applaud you for your beliefs. But know that most of us, see animals for what they are... entertainment... first off, don't we all just love watching a puppy who finally does a trick?
These animals at the fair are trained to do what people need them to do. If you don't like seeing ANY animal at the fair, just don't go. I'll give you a few names of people who will let you see animals in their natural farm environment. That just might open your eyes a bit.

Oh Poobah, I can count just fine (your 11:43 comment), i was refering to your overzealous attempt here to shout your message and beliefs.

Grandprix girl, save the heartstring pulls and the sobs for people that actually care. As the other one person in this conversation. And YES, I do have feelings for animals, I had livestock projects in 4-H growing up. Wait, before you chastize me for it, lets be clear. The animals were well taken care of and tended to. We did not harm them or keep them in squalid conditions. We cared for them with love and respect.

I get it. But, I fail to see your rationalization of things that have nothing to do with the topic at hand.

mzat74, if you don't get it by now, you never will. Have a nice day.

Poohbah,
What side of history are you referring to? Please explain. Which side do you consider the wrong side?

mzat74, said "Poobah,
Poor choice of correlation fitting in slavery into this discussion. Lets get back to the local issue we are all discussing."
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It is only a poor choice for your position. You don't want to admit it, but you're on the wrong side of history in this debate, just like many millions of people were on the wrong side of the slavery issue and laughed at people who were opposed to it. You brought so many irrelevant issues into the debate such as the wages paid to people in other countries -- attempting to use that to justify animal abuse? And then you complain to me about making a valid comparison to how the majority of people are often on the wrong side of history - as you are now.

mzat74 said, "Poobah, read the stinkin' label, the shoes are probably made of leather, and the fabric for the shirt was probably produced in a sweat shop overseas. Now, isn't that inhumane?"
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And how does that justify animal abuse? Answer my question.

Poohbah -
check Prince Harry's Polo pony https://princessdianaremembered.wordpres... near the bottom of the page

Slow Lopin Scotch (AQHA show horse)with spur scars from a leading trainer in the industry http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11...

I am not condoning the whole abuse thing in any way, rest assured - but the stock at THIS rodeo were well fed, cared for, and did not bare the marks of abuse.

If you really must beat the drum for a cause - find a worthy cause, and target it- Please do not paint an industry as a whole for the misdeeds of some.

ps - I was cooling off in the shade of the grandstand when the trucks pulled in - I was not there looking for anything other than a cool spot to sit

Poobah,
Poor choice of correlation fitting in slavery into this discussion. Lets get back to the local issue we are all discussing.

Poobah,
Did you see any of the rodeo, or look at the animals?

Slavery (in the U.S.) ended long ago. It does not occur legally in the U.S. today and neither does lynching.

Poobah, read the stinkin' label, the shoes are probably made of leather, and the fabric for the shirt was probably produced in a sweat shop overseas. Now, isn't that inhumane?

mzat74 said, "If you dont't like it, too bad, DON'T ATTEND on that day."
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Like lynchings and slave sales, right? If you don't like them, don't go to them. Don't go downtown on the day they all get together and sell the slaves. That would have been your advice 100 years ago.

mzat74 said, "I understand you may not be in favor of the rodeo. I can understand your limited viewpoint here. However, take a look at what you buy. The clothes and shoes you buy were probably made overseas by someone making 12 cents an hour. i enjoyed the rodeo."
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What do the wages of someone working overseas have to do with justifying the abuse of animals at a rodeo? I'm sure you did enjoy watching the spectacle of animal abuse -- probably had plenty of laughs, didn't you?

Grandprixgirl,
I was raised on a farm, and have plenty of feeling for animals. I also enjoy a good steak once in a while. Oh, and by the way I do have class. I work a full time job, continue to pay my mortgage and taxes, and vote at every election. I would guess the SOME people commenting on here are card carrying members of PETA. I respect you opinion but, it does not mean I have to agree to it, or change moy lifestyle to make you happy. The rodeo was fun, I enjoyed it. If you dont't like it, too bad, DON'T ATTEND on that day.

kkrrjj said, "All were well fed, and this rodeo compnay did not have any stock with spur scars, I saw a few scraps..."
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Why were you looking for "spur scars" and would you care to tell all of us just exactly what a spur scar is? How many animals not used in rodeos would have spur scars?

poobah,
The one person I am refering to is you. I understand you may not be in favor of the rodeo. I can understand your limited viewpoint here. However, take a look at what you buy. The clothes and shoes you buy were probably made overseas by someone making 12 cents an hour. i enjoyed the rodeo. Good entertainment. I believe I saw more people passing out from the heat this past week than animals.

Dwight-we have a summer home up north and our neighbors are rodeo-fanatics. I watch how they practice--I walk down to their pastures..i see their animals UP close. Say what you want-we are all entitled to our opinions, rodeo animals arent out there because they want to be. Those horses have those nasty scars from the spurs dug into their bodies. They buck people off because they are being raked by sharp spurs. All you rodeo lovers and animal haters...I wish you could experience what those animals do.
I am always always going to be FOR the animals. NOBODY is ever going to change how I feel, so all of you can keep saying how great and fabulous the rodeo is, how WONDERFULLY they treat their animals and how HAPPY the animals are to be in the hot sun being raked with spurs.
It wont change my opinion and Im done checking this forum. I just find it really sad that animals are thought so little of by so many people.

Big Valley Ranch in Avoca, WI has air con in their horse barn! Rented a stall their for my horse last year...he was living alot better than I did that weekend!

poohbah, hosing down animals in hot & humid weather is not necessarily the best thing to do. The water acts like insulation and doesn't allow the heat to dissipate from their bodies. They literally can't dry out in this kind of weather. If I need to soak my horse with H20, I then put him in the trailer and take him for a ride. Air movement helps to cool him down ...that or get the fan running in his stall.

I was very impressed on the condition of all the rodeo stock at the fair. In better shape than some of animals I've seen in local pastures!

I spent Saturday at a horse show - maybe we should picket and protest them as well? My poor animals had to work hauling me around warming up about 1/2 an hour - then were put into a show ring and really worked for a judge, (3 or 4 classes each horse, lasting 15 minutes each) who decided wether or not to give me a little piece of ribbon, Spent the day tied to a trailer, shade for part of the day. OH NO! I would bet that any horse at the rodeo did not work as hard or as long in that heat as my riding/show horse -
I watched Sunday as they unloaded the rough stock - they spent a couple of hours lose in a pen, with their buddies, with water in the pen, and had to work for 8 seconds - they are so used to the routine, they each went to the pen that was theirs, they know the routine, and none were overly upset. All were well fed, and this rodeo compnay did not have any stock with spur scars, I saw a few scraps, but rest assured I can find similar on just about any barn full of stock.

http://www.suite101.com/content/rodeo-an...

grandprixgirl - and what makes you an expert on how rodeo animals are treated behind the scenes?

frogger---your smart comment about the sheep, and the children riding....If the child was light enough, I normally would not think it was too much for the sheep--but Saturday and Sunday, in that heat? IN THE SUN...I do think it was cruel. But, its all about money, at the expense of the animals.

oh my...Olderandornerier...you are something else. I read your comments with a mix of true disgust, and awe that you are so ignorant and uncaring about animals. What makes you think those animals have "steady meals and a safe cozy place to live"!?!?! I would laugh, at your pure ignorance, if I thought it was just innocence showing, but I know its not. Sadly, its your ignorance of how animals are truly treated.
And your little...joke??? About clubbing seals..?? If you werent old and ornery as you yourself proclaim, it seems like you probably WOULD be out there doing that as well.
Hush now. You are pathetic.
And oh yes, I do pity you.

Actually, even illegal immigrants get health care. So, . . . . .

Olderandornerier said, "...no health care or assurance of food and water, under the constant threat of being rounded up..."
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Are you talking about the Republican health care and immigration plans now? I thought we were talking about animal abuse at the rodeo.

"Bodacious"
I think I saw him in Madison at Bull Broncs and Saddlebacks. Toughest Rodeo by Dodge .
Okay I stand correct a 2 ton animal.

wahoo- the mutton riders- pics in todays paper. Small kids riding sheep. Cute.
Some may think that is mean too?

Well said DwightKSchrute. Rodeo animals are worth their weight in gold to the company.Take a good look at rodeo animals, none are skinny or sickly looking. The riders have a far better chance of getting hurt than the animals that go for 8 seconds or less. Ever heard of the bull Bodacious? Was on the PBR rodeo circuit when the company had to retire HIM for hurting,even killing a cowboy...the animals don't have it so bad....

A midget rodeo would be cool to watch.
PS. I love animals, they taste good.

Love the rodeo and absolutely abhor the the folks that don't understand how well rodeo animals are cared for - this isn't the circus. Those animals are investments worth thousands of dollars and are fed and trained better than any pet. Heck, rodeo is a HS sport in some states.

Why don’t one of you horse whisperers ask the horses: Would you rather run free in the west and risk starvation or predation, with no health care or assurance of food and water, under the constant threat of being rounded up for slaughter by the BLM, or, would you like steady meals, free health care, (it’s like Obamacare though, too old or injured, RIP) and a safe and cozy place to live, all taken care of by human servants. You will be required to work for your keep. For a few seconds a few times a week you have to buck a guy off your back. (You may kick, stomp, bite, and otherwise injure the rider in any fashion you deem fit). Let me know what they say. I’m going to club some baby harp seals now.

Olderandornerier said, "I bet these horses were hosed down at least once during the day, making the heat more bearable than it is for many horses in pasture."
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Oh, how charitable of the abusers to hose them down. They only do that after causing them to overheat due to the physical exertion and anxiety caused by abusing them in front of a crowd of cheering fans of animal abuse. And then, they only do it to protect their investment in the animal and not for the sake of the animal. I don't pity you, I despise your tolerance of animal abuse. But I surely pity any animal you have ever owned!

poobah - I hope you where one of the protesters last year that got pelted with eggs!

WELL SAID, Poobah!! Well said!!!

rocket21, you missed this quote from Leviticus 20:9.
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For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him.
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At next years rodeo you can round up every child in Rock Country that has cursed their Mom or Dad and stone them to death in the arena. The Bible tells you so, right? Seriously, you are pathetic.

mz74 said, "Rodeos have been going on for years. If you don't like it, don't attend the rodeo. From what I saw, many people enjoyed the rodeo. Just because one person does not agree with one form of entertainment, should not spoil it for others."
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What an idiotic response. Slavery, indentured servitude and lynchings had been going on for years to when they were finally outlawed! And I'm sure many of the same people who enjoyed rodeos enjoyed those things. Just because ONE person? ONE? I guess people who think that animal abuse is entertainment also have problems with counting.

Dont none of you move to Wyoming..there is a rodeo every weekend! My biggest concern was where did the music go??? I hope next year they bring back the big acts, I hadnt really heard of the bands they had play. Is it going to turn into Riverfest where its only local bands now??

I have scars and nobody abused me!
Soembody also commmented about the abuse of the animals in the barns becuase of the heat. Do you really think there is air con in the barns at home?
poobah- NOBODY make these me do this!
Do you really think a 200 lbd man can hurt a bull that weighs a ton or more?
Football seems a bit more mean since you are pushing down men of your own size.

When you lose a baby cow on the farm how do you think they would try to catch "their income" pat on their leg and they would just come back to you. "here cow cow".
Cows are raised for us to eat. That seems cruel to begin with. But we need cloths and shelter so that is just the cycle of life.
"If someone slapped a dog "

"If this was done to a dog, cat, or even a Rooster"
They have also fought EACH OTHER. The bulls are not fighting each other.
Bull fighting seems a bit mean too but again tons of flesh. They also do a kill shot so no slow death.

Nobody forced the little people to wrestle either. Atleast they are employed and happy.

We don't ride dogs now do we???!!!

Don't pity me, I like animals and have had a number of pets. The cruelest place for an animal is mother nature. Wild animals have plenty of scars, and usually a good number of parasites. Not to mention no relief from the heat or cold, and no guarantee of food and water in abundant quanities. I bet these horses were hosed down at least once during the day, making the heat more bearable than it is for many horses in pasture.

To anyone who thinks a rodeo ISNT cruel and abusive to the animals..go look at a rodeo animal up close. See the scars..the spur-scars?? And all the other scars? I wasnt there at all, but I can only imagine, in the heat yesterday, how those animals suffered. I pity displacedworker & "olderandornerier"... what pathetic people...to have no feeling for animals. I hopo to god you dont have a pet of any kind.
And "MZat74"...I think its alot more than ONE person that doesnt like the rodeo. Sounds like you were there, and enjoying yourself, huh? Classy person you are. And for your information..I LOVE concerts, and the louder the music, the better.
You people that have no feelings for animals, theres nothing you can say to change those of us that HAVE feelings for them. Save your breath.

Last year - midget wrestling, this year - the rodeo. What's next?

Put a little religion into this and the replies will go well over 250. If there could be some way to work the governor into the story, replies could break a record.

Storm Chaser: I for one would rush to a rodeo to watch the chicken riding event. I am not so sure I would enjoy watching somebody ride a dog, but then I have never see it done. Maybe it would be nice.

Rodeos have been going on for years. If you don't like it, don't attend the rodeo. From what I saw, many people enjoyed the rodeo. Just because one person does not agree with one form of entertainment, should not spoil it for others. I suppose most of you (the people commenting on this story) think the concerts are too noisy as well. So, buy some ear plugs, I already have a pair, to drowned out all the whiners here.

displacedworker... So I guess its ok to take an animal, forcing (oh sorry, "Encourage") it to react violently possibly causing injury to itself or others, charge people a fee to watch and cheer, and that makes it a sport? If this was done to a dog, cat, or even a Rooster, it would be illegal!! And calling me ignorant? I speak the truth, you quote from another source. Ask any animal lover. What a sad sad world you live in.

Oh no the terrible awful rodeo came to town. The poor mistreated animals oh no. What a bunch of pansies. Why don't you worry about something that matters for a change.

displaceworker said, "These animals are taken better care of then the animals that provide you with your supper.."
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Oh, that makes be feel great! What an idiotic concept to try to justify the torture of animals by comparing it to the torture of other animals. How about you let us ride on your back, displacedworker, dig spurs into your side, make you run full speed then rope you around your neck and yank you back? There is absolutely NO JUSTIFICATION to allow this torture to continue. Period.

Bad Gazette!! It's really sad that there is STILL a legal sport that allows torture and abuse of animals in this country! If someone slapped a dog they would be arrested. But torture an animal by strapping their testicles so tight as to cause severe pain, and people cheer and clap. Disgusting!

I would have to agree with poobah. I was at the fair and the steers or sheep or horses had water. Its 90 degrees outside. Mistreatment of animals. A 4- h fair should be ashamed of having such a bad representation of animals. Next year it should be boycotted. Surprised animal activists are not on sight.

I say to those who think the animals are being mistreated. Bull ! Why not look at the positive side of things, The photographer, Lucas has finally taken a good picture.

And Catherine Idzerda, shame on you! Nothing is "cool" about the sight of young men being tossed like a salad from the backs of irritable animals. Why do you think those poor animals are irritated and trying to get the young men off their backs? Maybe it's the prodding they receive, maybe it's the screaming crowd, maybe it's the spurs on the boots being driven into their flesh. Shame on you and shame on the Gazette for covering this story in such a favorable light.

I would have hoped that nobody had attended the spectacle of animals being tortured for the entertainment of humans.