There is no Calgary Stampede without animals

The Stampede wouldn’t be the Stampede without animals.

Yes, it is tragic that six horses have died this year, but without the rodeo, the Stampede is just one big carnival.

In 1912, “Frontier Days and Cowboy Championship Contest” was born from the vision of Guy Weadick, a famous working cowboy and vaudeville entertainer featured in the travelling Wild West shows that were popular worldwide in the early 1900s.

Rodeo and ranching techniques have been around more than a century and anyone who says cowboys do not respect and care for their animals needs to give their head a shake.

These animals are not only cowboys’ pets, they are their livelihood. It simply wouldn’t make sense for them to do anything to intentionally harm these creatures.

Part of this misunderstanding is the fact that most city folk are so far removed from country life. Many don’t even know where the food on their plates comes from or how much work is involved in growing, maintaining and harvesting your side dish.

More than 7,500 animals participate in exhibition, education and competition events at the Stampede.

The Stampede abides by regulations set out in Alberta’s Animal Protection Act, follows codes of best practices for each animal species and has a team of veterinarians on site to ensure the animals are properly cared for over the 10 days.

Is it unfortunate and sad that six horses have died at the Stampede this year? Of course it is. But is the answer banning the rodeo? Not if we want to carry on the tradition, the reason the Stampede was created, and hold on to history of the West.