Part 4 - Equipment Requirements and Specifications
Rodeo Livestock Handling Equipment
All livestock must be treated humanely, and handling equipment must not be used cruelly or excessively.
Equipment for livestock-handling must be of the type and specification generally used to transport and handle horses and cattle, and must comply with the national Model and State Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals for the species concerned, and with appropriate legislation.
Electric prods
Electric prods may be used under the following conditions:
- they must be of low amperage and powered by dry cell batteries only
- be of a type and standard used generally for the handling, yarding and transport of livestock
- used with restraint and restricted to the minimum amount necessary as an aid for loading and handling livestock (including to encourage an animal that is down and leaning heavily against the chute to re-position), and
- applied only to those parts of the animal covered by hair.
Electric prods must not be used in time events:
- if an animal is loaded and standing in the time event chute/box, or
- to send an animal into the arena when the chute/box gate is opened.
Electric prods must not be used in riding events:
- when an animal is secured in the chute (except in the circumstances above), or
- when the chute gate opens, unless it is necessary to protect both the animal and the contestant from possible injury against the chute or chute gate, or to turn out a chute-stalling animal. In such cases the prod may be applied only to the animal’s shoulder or hindquarters to clear it from the chute, and under the stock contractor’s direct supervision.
An electric prod may not be used in the arena under any circumstances.
Handling aids
The use of aids such as flappers, metallic rattles and light polythene tubing to encourage movement in response to sound is acceptable, and for handling animals in yards, lanes and races.
The use of aids such as sticks, lengths of heavy plastic, metal piping, fencing wire or heavy leather belts to strike or poke animals with enough force to cause pain or injury, is not permitted.
Event Equipment
Event equipment is used to assist the event and should be designed to ensure that the animal is not injured. The equipment’s owner is responsible for its suitability. Equipment must conform to the specifications below.
Spurs
Spurs are used to help the rider’s timing and purchase on the animal in bucking stock events and should not be used as a goad. To reduce possible injury to the animal, the spur rowel must be dulled and not less than 3mm wide at its narrowest part. The minimum diameter to the point of the rowel is 2cm.
For bucking horse events, the rowels must be free running.
For bull riding, the rowels may have restricted movement but must not be fully locked, and be able to move at least a quarter turn.
Flank straps
Flank straps are used to improve the animal’s bucking style. Only lined, quick release straps can be used. The lining must be soft and flexible such as a soft plastic, felt or sheepskin.
The strap’s lined portion must be positioned to cover both flanks of the animal and its belly. The coverings and linings must be soft and flexible, and must not be worn or damaged. Sharp or cutting objects must not be used.
Protective horn wraps
Horn wraps must be used in team-roping to protect the ears, eyes and base of horns from possible injury.
Neck ropes
The neck rope is used to keep the horse’s head towards the steer while the rider dismounts, and to discourage dragging. The rope must be fitted to horses used for roping and tying. The catch rope must pass through it before it is tied to the saddle horn.
The neck rope must be no more than half the distance down the roping horse’s neck, as measured from the head.
Jerk line
The jerk line is used for roping and tying events. The rope is fed from the bridle through a pulley on the saddle to the rider.
As the rider dismounts to throw the steer, the jerk line plays out in a series of jerks, which encourages the horse to move backwards slowly, retaining the tension on the rope, thus preventing entanglements.
The contestant must adjust the catch rope, reins and jerk line to prevent the rope horse from dragging the roped animal.