Rodeo involves a number of competitive events that can cause significant injury and unreasonable suffering and/or distress to the animals involved.

While rodeo continues in New Zealand, SPCA advocates for those involved in rodeos to improve practices and to provide a Good Life where rodeo animals experience positive welfare and their physical, health, and behavioural needs are met for the whole of their lives.

SPCA advocates that all persons involved in the breeding, keeping, or use of animals for rodeo must have the facilities, skills, knowledge, and resources to provide them with a Good Life where they experience positive welfare and meet their physical, health and behavioural needs throughout their life.

SPCA advocates for the immediate discontinuation of flank straps, spurs, prods, whips and bits during all rodeo events and training as these cause pain, discomfort, distress and anxiety.

SPCA advocates for the immediate discontinuation of events involving lassoing (calf roping/rope and tie and team roping) due to the risk of significant neck injury and the high levels of stress caused to animals.

During lassoing events, riders on horseback lasso the animal around the neck, head or hind quarters (event dependent) and bring the animal to a sudden stop before bringing the animal to the ground. Lassoing around the neck can result in significant neck inflammation, severe winding (from pressure on the trachea) and bruising from coming to a stop from high speed. Musculoskeletal injuries and bruising can also result from being thrown to the ground. Injuries to the cervical spine including fracture, luxation, and alteration of vertebra position can also occur.

SPCA advocates for the immediate discontinuation of steer wrestling events due to the pain, discomfort, distress, and anxiety caused.

During steer wrestling events animals are lifted and dumped to the ground which can result in pain, discomfort, distress, and anxiety. Steers can also be maintained at lower body condition for the course of rodeo season leading to hunger and distress.

SPCA advocates for the immediate discontinuation of events involving young animals (calf roping/rope and tie and junior steer riding) due to risk of injury to young animals and the stress, fear and anxiety caused.

Young animals are more vulnerable to fear and stress and injuries than older animals.

SPCA advocates that activities involving children and animals should encourage understanding and empathy for animals.