Report Cruelty Donate

Our role

The state and territory member Societies provide services to animals in need through their shelters and inspectorates. In the national office, RSPCA Australia works to influence animal welfare policy, practice and legislation across the country
Go to Our role

Animal welfare science

Caring for animals

Farm animal welfare

Public education

Advocacy

Enforcing the law

Key issues

The RSPCA advocates for the welfare of animals across a number of industries, issues and platforms. Help from our supporters is important to progress change. Working together is key.
Go to Key issues

Farm animals

Sport, entertainment & work animals

better than live export hero banner
Priority issue
On 1 July 2024, the Federal Government…
Live sheep export

News

Here you'll find the latest news relating to the RSPCA's vital work, press releases on national events, education on animal welfare issues, animal welfare science updates and our very own podcast covering a range of current topics.
Go to News

Blog

Media centre

Podcast

take action live sheep export alternate
Media release: Live sheep export unfixable, unnecessary, unacceptable – and now, soon to be unlawful
Read the media release

Support us

Whether you're an individual or a business, there are multiple ways you can support the RSPCA
Go to Support us

For individuals

For businesses

National events

An animal in the RSPCA care being cared for by an RSPCA vet
Donate now to support your local RSPCA and make a difference to animal welfare across Australia
Donate

Learn

The RSPCA aims to make evidence-based research accessible to the community, so that they can have confidence in the choices made when it comes to animal welfare.
Go to Learn

Knowledgebase Offsite

Animal Welfare Seminar

Animal Welfare Science Update

Education resources

Cage free and proud

Choose Wisely

Responsible sourcing

Key information

Domesticated animals

Non-domesticated animals

Aquatic animals

RSPCA Approved Standards

AWS2025 Website Image 2000x2000 v2
RSPCA Animal Welfare Seminar 2025
Animal ethics and animal welfare…
Learn more

About

The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
Go to About

Annual reports

Annual statistics

Board & governance

Scholarships

Join our team

Our history

Contact

about us national statistics
Read our National Statistics
Compiled on a national basis by RSPCA…
Annual statistics

Adopt

By choosing adoption, you’ll not only have the chance to make a friend for life, but you’ll be giving an animal a second chance and helping support the RSPCA.
Go to Adopt

Adopting a dog or puppy

Adopting a cat or kitten

Adopting other animals

Responsible pet ownership

adopt a pet logo
Visit the Adopt A Pet website
Make a difference to a pet’s life today.
Search Adoptapet
Contact Us
RSPCA Approved Farming
Report Cruelty Donate
Report Cruelty Donate
Subscribe now! Keep up to date with the latest animal welfare news
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Media centre
  4. New study shows Australia must do more…
Media centre

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

Generic Avatar
  • RSPCA Australia
  • Thursday, 14 November 2024
Subscribe to our media centre

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.

subscribe box

Stay informed on big issues and how you can help improve animal welfare across Australia.

Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.

We care about your data in our privacy policy.