Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of Roping
There are significant welfare concerns with the use of calves in calf roping (also known as rope-and-tie) events in rodeos. However, little work has been carried out to scientifically assess calves’ behavioural responses to the stressors of these events. This study evaluated video footage of calves...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/3/343 |
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| author | Sylvia Dixon Di Evans Thinza Vindevoghel Michael P. Ward Anne Quain |
| author_facet | Sylvia Dixon Di Evans Thinza Vindevoghel Michael P. Ward Anne Quain |
| author_sort | Sylvia Dixon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There are significant welfare concerns with the use of calves in calf roping (also known as rope-and-tie) events in rodeos. However, little work has been carried out to scientifically assess calves’ behavioural responses to the stressors of these events. This study evaluated video footage of calves (<i>n</i> = 15) during roping events from two rodeos. An ethogram was created to assess behavioural parameters during five phases of a calf roping event: Chase, Lasso, Catch and Restraint, Leg Tie and Release. Six behavioural parameters were observed during each of the five phases: Ear position (Axial or Back Up/Down), Eye White, Leg Movement (Slow/Fast), Tail Position (Rigid/Swish/Relaxed), Vocalisation and Evasive Behaviour. The presence or absence of each behaviour during each phase of roping was documented. Chi-squared analysis found significant (<i>p</i> < 0.001) differences in the proportions of behaviours observed in all five phases of the event. Binary logistic regression was performed, and six behaviours were observed to be significant across all phases: Evasive Behaviour (<i>p</i> < 0.001), Vocalisation (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and Legs Fast (<i>p</i> = 0.016) were more likely to be observed in comparison to Ears Axial, which was used as a reference category. Eye White (<i>p</i> < 0.001), Legs Slow (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and Tail Relaxed (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were less likely to be observed than Ears Axial. This study found that calves exhibit signs of distress in all of the phases of calf roping, including the Release phase. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:55:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a112e13f464b46469eb833adf2a7d679 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T09:55:15Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-a112e13f464b46469eb833adf2a7d6792023-11-16T15:59:34ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152023-01-0113334310.3390/ani13030343Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of RopingSylvia Dixon0Di Evans1Thinza Vindevoghel2Michael P. Ward3Anne Quain4School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, AustraliaRSPCA Australia, Deakin, Canberra, ACT 2600, AustraliaIndependent Researcher, Perth, WA 6164, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, AustraliaSchool of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, AustraliaThere are significant welfare concerns with the use of calves in calf roping (also known as rope-and-tie) events in rodeos. However, little work has been carried out to scientifically assess calves’ behavioural responses to the stressors of these events. This study evaluated video footage of calves (<i>n</i> = 15) during roping events from two rodeos. An ethogram was created to assess behavioural parameters during five phases of a calf roping event: Chase, Lasso, Catch and Restraint, Leg Tie and Release. Six behavioural parameters were observed during each of the five phases: Ear position (Axial or Back Up/Down), Eye White, Leg Movement (Slow/Fast), Tail Position (Rigid/Swish/Relaxed), Vocalisation and Evasive Behaviour. The presence or absence of each behaviour during each phase of roping was documented. Chi-squared analysis found significant (<i>p</i> < 0.001) differences in the proportions of behaviours observed in all five phases of the event. Binary logistic regression was performed, and six behaviours were observed to be significant across all phases: Evasive Behaviour (<i>p</i> < 0.001), Vocalisation (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and Legs Fast (<i>p</i> = 0.016) were more likely to be observed in comparison to Ears Axial, which was used as a reference category. Eye White (<i>p</i> < 0.001), Legs Slow (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and Tail Relaxed (<i>p</i> < 0.001) were less likely to be observed than Ears Axial. This study found that calves exhibit signs of distress in all of the phases of calf roping, including the Release phase.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/3/343calf ropingrope-and-tierodeoethogramanimal welfareanimal behaviour |
| spellingShingle | Sylvia Dixon Di Evans Thinza Vindevoghel Michael P. Ward Anne Quain Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of Roping Animals calf roping rope-and-tie rodeo ethogram animal welfare animal behaviour |
| title | Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of Roping |
| title_full | Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of Roping |
| title_fullStr | Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of Roping |
| title_full_unstemmed | Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of Roping |
| title_short | Behaviours Expressed by Rodeo Calves during Different Phases of Roping |
| title_sort | behaviours expressed by rodeo calves during different phases of roping |
| topic | calf roping rope-and-tie rodeo ethogram animal welfare animal behaviour |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/3/343 |
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