ANIMAL WELFARE

ANIMAL WELFARE

1. No locked rowels or rowels that will lock on spurs or sharpened

spurs may be used on bareback horses or saddle broncs. Spur rowels

must have five or more points.

2. A neck rope must be used on a horse. If horse stops and calf hits the

end of rope in such a manner that calf busts himself, roper will not be

responsible. Contestant must adjust rope and reins in such a manner

that will prevent horse from dragging calf. Rope to be removed from

calf’s body as soon as possible after “tie” is completed. Roping calves

shall weight at least 180 pounds each, and be strong and healthy.

3. All chain, metal and wire tie- downs, nosebands and bosals must be

completely covered where it comes into contact with the horse’s skin.

4. The placing of fingers in eyes, lips, or nose of steers while wrestling

same is forbidden.

5. Animals for all events will be inspected before the draw, and no

sore, lame, sick, or injured animal, or animals with defective eyesight

shall be permitted in the draw at any time. Should an animal become

sick or be injured between the time it is drawn and the time it is

scheduled to be used in competition, that animal shall not be used in

competition and another animal drawn for the contestant as provided

in the NHSRA rule book. An official veterinarian should be available

at all events.

6. No animal shall be beaten, mutilated, or cruelly prodded. Standard

cattle prods shall be used as little as possible. In the rough stock

events, once an animal is in the chute, no cattle prods will be allowed

except in the case of a bareback riding or saddle bronc horse that

stalls and only with the agreement of the contestant, stock contractor

and judge. Cattle prod will only be used when the horse turns head

out of the chute and then it can only be used on the hip or shoulder

area. Prods will not be used on bulls once they are in the chute except

to move bull from chute to chute.

7. A conveyance must be available and used, if possible, to remove

animals from the arena in case of injury. Animals removed from the

arena pursuant to this section shall be placed in a situation as isolated

and comfortable as possible to reduce stress.

8. No sharp or cutting object in cinch, saddle girth, or flank straps

shall be permitted. Only sheepskin- lined flanking straps shall be used

on bucking horses and shall be of the quick- release type. Sheepskinlined

flank straps shall be placed on the animal so the sheepskin covered

portion is over both flanks, and the belly of the animal. No bull

tails will be allowed under flank straps.

9. No “loose ropes” allowed in bareback bronc riding.

10. No stimulants or hypnotics to be used, or given to any animal used

for contest purposes.

11. Chutes must be constructed as to prevent injury to stock.

Maintenance men and equipment shall be stationed at chutes to

assist in removal of any animal should it become caught. The arena

shall be free of rocks, holes and obstacles.

12. Clowns are not to abuse stock in any fashion.

13. No small animal or pets allowed in arena where restraint is necessary

or subject to injury or attack by another animal.

14. Livestock to be removed from arena after completion of entry in

contest.

15. Use of fireworks to fight animals prohibited.

16. Contestant will be disqualified for any mistreatment of Stock.

17. No stock should be confined in vehicles beyond a period of 28

hours without being unloaded, properly fed, and watered. When animals

are carried in conveyances in which they do have proper food,

water, space, and opportunity to rest, the provisions for unloading

shall not apply.

18. Any animal that becomes excessively excited so that it gets down

in the chute repeatedly, or tries repeatedly to jump out of the chute, or

in any way appears to be in danger of injuring itself, should be

released.

19. Any Stock contractor or rodeo personnel, guilty of mistreatment of

livestock may be fined by the Board of Directors with a fine not to

exceed $500.00.

20. All NHSRA animal welfare rules are to be enforced on the entire

grounds of any approved high school rodeo including but not limited

to the practice and jackpot arenas, stall areas, warm-up areas, etc.

21. The NHSRA makes every effort to ensure that all contestants, contractors,

and committees are fully aware of rules regarding humane

treatment of all rodeo livestock.