Footage taken by Illinois animal rights organization, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) showing a cowboy using an electric prod to prompt horses out of the chute during last month's Rowell Ranch Rodeo has made it's way to the Internet via video sharing website, YouTube.
The video has also got the attention of HARD, who owns the Rowell Ranch Rodeo grounds.
"At this point, we don't know who administered the prods or 'hot shots' and we've conducted an investigation," explained HARD Business Manager, John Gouveia. "What they did may have been legal with the PRCA, (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) but it is prohibited by HARD rules."
For the past eight years, HARD has banned the use of prodding or electric devices at the Rowell grounds and is considering establishing a penalty, such as a one year ban on the rodeo's animal supplier-Flying U Rodeo Company of Marysville.
