The deaths of six horses at this year’s Calgary Stampede are regrettable but will not force an end to the rodeo, said the organization’s president David Chalack.
“It is absolutely regrettable. One animal lost is too many so we work with the Calgary Humane Society and the SPCA to come to an understanding of how we make this better for each and every event,” Chalack said. “It is very painful for ourselves, the competitors and the owners of the horses.”
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More than one million people attend the Stampede each year and about 400,000 visitors go to the rodeo with cash prizes totalling more than $2 million.
The Vancouver Humane Society has called for an immediate halt to the chuck wagon races after three horses died in the event this year. The society is opposed to rodeo because animals are subjected to fear, stress or pain to perform at the risk of injury or death for entertainment purposes.
The Calgary Humane Society has opted to work with the Stampede on the grounds and lobby for change to many events.
Chalack has talked with veterinarians on site to see what happened in each case. The cases are still under review.
All competition horses are inspected before events to check for lameness, thinness and overall soundness.
“The vets will tell you those animals were healthy looking as far as they could determine,” Chalack said.
The Stampede is analyzing what happened to each animal and is conducting necropsies.
One horse broke its back during the rodeo and was euthanized in the infield, while an outrider’s horse had to be euthanized during the chuck wagon races after suffering a suspected broken shoulder.
Others died of heart attacks and one died of unknown causes. It collapsed on its rider, Amy Carver, during a team penning event. Carver suffered a broken shoulder blade and head injuries.
This is the highest Stampede death toll since 2005 when nine horses plunged over a bridge in southeast Calgary when they were being herded into the city before the event.
