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Obviously Calgary stampede is one of Calgary's big events Does the continuing death of horses in the Chuck wagon races give Calgarians the idea that this part of the stampede should be ended.Many here in the east think it to be rather deadly to horses ,what do Calgarians think?.
I thought it might be a controversial subject in Calgary with all the animal rights activists up in arms and most other media outlets having the deaths of the horses one of the top news stories..but i guess the story is just another day at the office in Calgary.
It's absolutely unfortunate, and ultimately will cause the end of the chucks. But it is a high risk sport, and accidents happen. How many horses were killed in horse racing in Ontario each year? I guarantee the number is far higher than three.
It gets so much attention because it is a big event in front of a big audience.
The only animal rights folks up in arms are those that have zero knowledge of the Chuckwagons, Stampede Park, the Calgary Humane Society or have an axe to grind. The people with oversight and control - including those that have no financial skin in the game, have no issue with how the races are run and how the participants are treated, two legged and four.
The story hasn't had any play in the States. I caught it on the National tonight. I am not a Calgarian or Canadian, but it does look like it is dangerous. I have little knowledge of sport, but the track appears "busy", which I think can lead to more pile-ups. Maybe, running the races solo, like a time trial would make it safer, while preserving the sport???
It is unfortunate that so many horses die at this event and those of us not living in Calgary are thinking why not just end the chuck wagon races, however i was wondering what Calgarians or people closer connected with the rodeo circuit think about the issue.
It's bad for image of the Stampede. The organizers have to realize (and probably do) that this isn't an event that really caters to the rodeo crowd - while it's still a major stop on the rodeo circuit, it's evolved into far more than that.
Statistically speaking, chuckwagon racing isn't any more dangerous to animals than any other equine event. However, those outside the industry generally don't see that and the media does an overall poor job of reporting on it.
If chuckwagon racing is to survive as a part of the Stampede and not be relegated to small time rodeos, they need to take positive steps to increase safety (and to be fair there have been some) and more importantly, be seen to be taking these steps.
I suspect there is a great deal of people who do not support Chuckwagon races. What you need to realize is that saying so publicly would not be beneficial to you in Calgary. It's akin to the early days of the Iraq war. No one dared point out the "inconsistencies" with some of the data presented by the government. Will they end? I doubt it.
Always thought of them as somewhat hilarious myself as they do not resemble anything like a legitimate or authentic chuck wagon which was often pulled by a single mule. The darn things only had to keep up with a slow moving herd of cattle and they were often capable of outpacing the herd with just one horse or mule to be set up and waiting for the herd to arrive at the next nights stop with a team of three horses never entering the equation.
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