Code of welfare - Ban Rodeo Aotearoa-New Zealand

Code of welfare submissions 2026

ROPE AND TIE: PROPOSED NEW MINIMUM STANDARDS

What is Rope and Tie?

Rope and Tie is a rodeo event where a calf is released from a chute, roped by a rider on horseback, brought to a stop, and tied. The proposed new minimum standard is an improvement on the previous standard, but there are still some important concerns.

What is missing from the proposed new standard?

One stand-out omission is any reference to dragging calves, which was included in the previous standard. This is a common occurrence when the horse moves while the calf is still tied to the horse.

Another standard we feel should be included is a maximum temperature limit. This is vital because cattle suffer from heat stress at much lower temperatures than humans. Being in an already highly stressful situation, heat stress on top of this will make the stress even worse.

CURRENT STANDARD

(a) Calves must be handled using the minimum force and in a way that minimises pain and distress at all times during the event.

(b) Calves must be habituated by being walked or run through the arena from the release chute to the exhaust pen prior to the event.

(c) All reasonable precautions must be taken to ensure that calves are not busted, dragged or harmed in any other way during calf roping.

(d) A neck rope must be fitted to horses used for roping and tying and the catch rope must pass through it before being tied to the saddle horn.

(e) The calf must be tied for the minimum time to meet competition standards and released by experienced handlers immediately after the tie has been signalled.

(f) The event must not exceed 30 seconds from the release of the calf from the chute.

PROPOSED NEW STANDARD

Minimum Standard: Rope and Tie

(a) Cattle must not be brought to a sudden stop.

(Calves are often brought to an abrupt, sudden stop during this event, sometimes being lifted off their feet and spun around. This can cause unnecessary pain, distress and potential injury.)

(b) Cattle must stay on their feet after being brought to a stop.

(Lifting calves off their feet and slamming them onto the ground is unacceptable and can cause unnecessary pain, distress and injury. This standard is an important step towards preventing such treatment.)

(Recumbent is a term used by veterinarians to describe an animal that is lying down and unable or unwilling to stand.

This standard reinforces the need to prevent calves from being forced onto the ground before they are tied, helping to reduce unnecessary pain, distress and the risk of injury.)

(d) The event must not exceed 30 seconds from the release of the animal from

the chute.

(No Change)

(e) The rope must be removed from the animal as soon as it is practicable to do so.

(While this requirement is largely unchanged, the current standard specifies that the rope must be removed by experienced handlers.)

Steer wrestling

STEER WRESTLING: PROPOSED NEW MINIMUM STANDARDS

What is Steer Wrestling?

Steer wrestling involves a juvenile steer being chased by two people on horseback. One rider then jumps onto the steer from their horse while it is still running, attempting to stop the steer before wrestling it to the ground. This is often, if not always, done by twisting the head and neck until the steer hits the ground.

The proposed new regulations include some significant changes that will make this event better for the steer. However, steer wrestling should never be allowed.

Under the new regulations, the wrestling part of the event will no longer be allowed to involve forcibly twisting the steer’s head and neck. This is a positive change for the animal. Unfortunately, the steer will still be chased down and jumped on while running. This must be extremely stressful for a prey animal in an already very stressful environment.

Another important omission from the proposed new code is any reference to manipulation of the tail, which is clearly mentioned in the current code.

CURRENT CODE

2018 Code of Welfare (for reference)

(a) The steer must not be knocked down or thrown before it is brought to a stop, or the

direction has changed, and the catch is made.

(b) Pressure must not be placed on the eyes, lips or nose of the steers when wrestling them to the ground.

(e) The event must not exceed 30 seconds from the release of the animal from

the chute.

PROPOSED NEW STANDARD

(a) Cattle must stay on their feet after being brought to a stop.

(This is an improvement, and we strongly agree with this change.)

(b) Cattle must not be made to be recumbent.

(Recumbent is a veterinary term for an animal lying on the ground. We also agree with this important change.)

(This requirement remains unchanged and needs to be retained in any new code.)

(d) The head and neck of the animal must not be forcibly twisted.

(This is another improvement to the current code, and we strongly agree with this change.)

(e) The event must not exceed 30 seconds from the release of the animal from the chute.

( This requirement remains unchanged.)

TEAM ROPING – PROPOSED NEW MINIMUM STANDARDS

What is Team Roping?

Team Roping is an event where two riders on horseback chase a frightened and stressed calf.

The first rider, known as the header, attempts to rope the calf around its horns, while the second rider, known as the heeler, attempts to rope the calf’s back legs.

When successful, the calf is often stretched between the two ropes. A one-leg catch can be even worse, with one leg stretched out while the calf’s head is pulled in the opposite direction.

While we call for a total ban on Team Roping, we do acknowledge some of the proposed changes as improvements. However, we would like to see stricter rules introduced if this event is not banned.

CURRENT REGULATIONS

(a) Cattle horns must be wrapped with protective material to protect the ears and base of the horns from rope burns.

(b) Event must not exceed 30 seconds from the release of the steer from the chute.

WHY WE BELIEVE TEAM ROPING SHOULD BE BANNED

Calves are naturally prey animals, and under New Zealand’s Animal Welfare Act 1999, animals are recognised as sentient beings.

We believe the extreme fear, stress and physical risks calves are subjected to during this event are incompatible with the welfare protections they deserve.

While the proposed changes may reduce some risks, they do not address the fundamental problem of chasing, roping and stretching a frightened animal between two horses.

We believe Team Roping should be banned altogether!

If this event is allowed to continue, the proposed standards must be backed by strict, proactive and meaningful enforcement to ensure the welfare of the animals involved.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

We hope this helps you with your submission.

PROPOSED NEW STANDARD

(a) The animal’s ears and horns must be protected from rope injuries.

(This requirement is no different from the current regulations.)

(b) Roping attempts must not exceed 30 seconds from the release of the animal from the chute.

(This requirement also remains unchanged.)

Our concern: This is a minor change. We have only witnessed the second roper attempting a second catch on a few occasions, so we believe this will make very little difference to the welfare of the calf.

(d) If the header’s rope is unsuccessful, the heeler must not carry out their roping attempt.

Our concern: This is another change that we believe will make little difference, as the heeler very rarely attempts a catch once the team has already lost its ability to record a time on the scoreboard.

(e) Ropes must not be pulled so tight that they injure or stretch the animal.

Why this is an improvement: This is a positive change that could make a difference if properly enforced, both by rodeo organisers and through meaningful enforcement by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

(f) The animal’s legs must not be pulled off the ground by either rope.

Why this is an improvement: Like (e), this is a new requirement that moves in the right direction. However, it will also require proactive and meaningful enforcement by both rodeo organisers and the Ministry for Primary Industries.