Calgary Humane Society investigating handling of Stampede horse

An animal rights group is sounding the alarm after a bucking horse was hit earlier this week at the Stampede.

The Calgary Humane Society is investigating after video showing the handling of a horse before a rodeo event at the Calgary Stampede prompted a complaint from an animal advocacy group.

The incident happened during Tuesday’s rodeo as cowboy Sage Newman prepared to compete in the saddle bronc event. Before the chute opened, the horse, named Ice Cube, dropped to the ground.

Video of the incident shows handlers attempting to get the horse back on its feet. One worker appears to pull the horse’s mane and strike it on the head.

Animal Justice, a national animal law advocacy organization, filed a complaint with the Calgary Humane Society on Wednesday, alleging the horse was subjected to unnecessary distress.

“These animals are used for entertainment, and there’s just no reason to be subjecting them to this kind of distress,” said Animal Justice lawyer Alexandra Pester.

Pester said Alberta’s Animal Protection Act prohibits causing animals distress, which she argues includes the treatment shown in the video.

“Alberta’s Animal Protection Act prohibits causing distressed animals and distress includes subjecting them to abuse,” she said.

The Calgary Humane Society confirmed it has launched an investigation after reviewing the video.

“We’ve seen the video and we did have personnel on site that day. It does appear to be a bit of rough handling,” said Brad Nichols, director of enforcement with the Calgary Humane Society.

Nichols said the investigation is more complex because Alberta’s Animal Protection Act exempts rodeo and chuckwagon events from the legislation’s distress provisions when they are conducted in accordance with reasonable and generally accepted practices.

The investigation will determine whether the handling shown in the video falls within those generally accepted practices or whether enforcement action is warranted.

In a statement, the Calgary Stampede said officials removed the horse from competition before the event began.

“Our judging team made the decision to remove the horse from competition, and it did not buck,” the statement said.

“While the horse was unharmed, some of the behaviour that appeared to be exhibited does not align with the expectations of the Stampede. It was addressed directly with the individuals involved.”

The incident has also sparked criticism on social media, with some questioning why Newman did not intervene. CTV News contacted Newman and the rodeo worker seen in the video but did not receive a response.

Pester said the incident raises broader questions about the future of rodeo and chuckwagon events.

“It’s really time for the Calgary Stampede to be a leader and remove these events and show the world that this is not who Calgarians are,” she said.