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New study shows Australia must do more for the welfare of horses in rodeos

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  • RSPCA Australia
  • Thursday, 14 November 2024
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A new research paper reinforces why Australia needs to do more to help safeguard the welfare of horses in rodeos by prohibiting the use and possession of electric prodders in all jurisdictions.

The peer-reviewed paper, The use of electric prodders on rodeo horses in Australia: Regulatory inconsistency and potential illegality, published in the University of New South Wales Law Journal Issue 47 Volume 3, highlights the potential illegal use of electric prodders on horses used in bucking events.

The paper is co-authored by Dr Di Evans, Senior Scientific Officer from RSPCA Australia, and compares the regulation and enforcement of the use of electric prodders in the thoroughbred horse racing industry with those in rodeos.

“We know inflicting electric shocks on a horse can cause significant pain,” Dr Evans said.

“This is why the use of electric prodders in horse racing is prohibited in all jurisdictions under animal welfare legislation ... but the same cannot be said for rodeos.

“Our research shows rodeo horses are exempt from these animal welfare protections in some jurisdictions.

“The ACT is currently the only jurisdiction prohibiting rodeos on animal welfare grounds.

“The paper also finds that there is little evidence of monitoring for compliance of the regulations that cover rodeo events.

“While rodeos continue, we need stronger and more consistent legislation to protect horses from the suffering caused by the use of electric prodders.”

The paper recommends the legislative exemptions or defences that allow electric prodders to be used on rodeo horses in some jurisdictions be removed, and that possession of an electric prodder in the vicinity of a horse be made an offence in all Australian jurisdictions.

The RSPCA is opposed to rodeos because of the potential for significant injury, suffering or distress to the animals involved. 

Public sentiment echoes many of the welfare concerns raised from this evidence-based research paper.

A previous 2022 independent study commissioned by RSPCA Australia found 67% of the public were concerned or very concerned about the welfare of animals in rodeos.

The research paper is co-authored by Morgan Stonebridge (Deakin University), Di Evans (RSPCA Australia), Jane Kotzmann (Deakin University), and Andrew Mclean (Equitation Science International) and is available here.

Editor’s note: Interviews available with co-authors on request.

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