What’s the Calgary Stampede rodeo hiding about calf roping? 

The Calgary Stampede rodeo website doesn’t show calves being roped. Is it because calf roping events (also referred to as tie-down roping) look like this? 

The reality of calf roping 

• In calf roping, a calf as young as 3 months old is isolated on their own in the holding chute, where they are often deliberately agitated by handlers so that they burst out at a high speed as the gate opens.  
• The fleeing calf is chased by a rider on horseback. The rider then ropes the calf around the neck, bringing the animal to an abrupt stop. If the calf struggles to their feet, they will be lifted up and thrown down to the ground by the rider, who then ties three of the calf’s legs together. 
• Research on stress hormones and behavioural evidence shows that calves experience acute stress when chased, roped, lifted, and thrown to the ground. 
• Visible signs of stress that are common in rodeo events include: widening of the eyes to expose more of the white of the eye; urination and defecation; excessive drooling; open mouth; extended tongue; and vocalization. 
• Calf roping is a fast-paced, timed event that puts these vulnerable animals at unnecessary risk of serious injury, such as broken bones, neck injuries, or internal damage. Injuries may not be identified immediately after the event, as inflammation and muscle damage can take up to 48 hours after the injury to present. 

Say no to calf roping

When shown photos of calf roping events, a majority of Calgarians (62%) say they would not watch the event. Nationally, 71% of Canadians would also not watch calf roping. 

Add your name to the growing number of people who oppose calf roping and other inhumane and deadly rodeo events. Take the #SayNoToRodeo pledge! 

Learn more about calf roping

To learn more about calves and the practices used in calf roping, visit the main page of Rodeo Truth.