the fall of the mare Big Sky follows a concussion caused by a forward « whiplash » effect, when she steps with one of her hind legs on the rope attached to her halter and dragging on the ground, while she is running. The sudden tension of the rope as the mare runs induces a violent and rapid bending of her head possibly causing a shock to the brain. The violent bending also represents a danger of lesions to the cervical vertebrae.
the mare Big Sky has just gotten up and started running again, although she is very unstable on her legs. The rope still is still hanging from her halter and dragging on the ground, posing a risk that the accident will be repeated. She falls once more when a rescue rider tries to catch the rope; her head again hits the ground violently.
while the horse gallops dodging the rescue riders trying to catch him, he tramples with one of his hind legs on the rope attached to his halter and dragging on the ground while he is running. The sudden tension of the rope while the horse runs induces a violent and rapid bending of his head which results in a fall.
during a saddle-free riding event, the horse falls head-first while running; his forehead strikes against the ground. This poses a risk of injury to the head (skull fracture, concussion, and facial, nasal and ocular lesions) and neck (fracture and cervical vertebral dislocation). Next, the horse ends its fall by collapsing with all its weight onto its forelimbs which are drawn under his body and subjected to a marked stretching which can cause myo-arthroskeletal injuries. The violent and frenetic bucking, often disordered, poses a risk for the horses on several levels, especially for their limbs upon contact with the ground or in event of fall (as here). When a force generated by several hundred kg and amplified by the descent of the jump is exerted on the end of a leg, there is a risk of fracture, especially if the angle is bad or if a torsion is exerted on the appendicular skeleton when the animal rotates while landing. Sometimes only one leg touches the ground upon landing; that leg hence bears all the resulting pressure, which increases the risk of fracture. This kind of accident has already occurred in other rodeos, including in Saint-Tite, with sometimes catastrophic consequences for animals.
steer 30 first undergoes a sudden lateral flexion of the neck followed by a sudden cervical twist of 180 degrees on the longitudinal axis of the spine in the opposite direction. This mechanical stress creates a risk of severe cervical lesions, especially vertebral and spinal.
the steer undergoes a sudden 180 degree cervical torsion on the longitudinal axis of the spine. There is a risk of serious cervical lesions, especially vertebral and spinal.
the steer first undergoes a sudden lateral flexion of the neck when the cowboy catches him, then a second when the cowboy lies down on his already twisted neck. There is a risk of severe cervical lesions, especially vertebral and spinal.
calf 4 is « strangled horizontally » as the rope pulled tight by the horse drags him in the sand for several meters, with the competitor tying his legs forced to follow him.
le veau 14 est soulevé d’environ un mètre puis projeté au sol sans retenue avec impact violent sur le côté du thorax.
le veau 14 est pendu à l’horizontale, alors que la corde tendue par le cheval qui recule le traîne dans le sable sur plusieurs mètres et que le cowboy est obligé de suivre pour attacher ses pattes.
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calf 14 is abruptly stopped in mid-run by a lateral traction on his neck which makes him spin 180 degrees through the air. This creates danger of damage to the cervical structures (skin, muscles, larynx, trachea, vertebrae, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels).
the calf 14 is lifted about one meter then hurled to the ground without support in a violent impact to the side of the thorax.
calf 14 is being hung horizontally while the rope is pulled tight by the horse who is backing up, dragging him through the sand across several meters. The cowboy is forced to follow to tie his legs.
Puis le veau est traîné dans le sable par la corde tendue attachée au cheval car ce dernier n’est pas à l’arrêt. Lorsque le cheval se déplace et change de direction, le veau 9 est traîné dans le sable sur 180 degrés pour être de nouveau pendu à l’horizontal mais dans la direction opposée, alors que le cheval auquel il est attaché par l’intermédiaire de la corde continue de se déplacer.
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calf 9 is hurled to the ground without any cushioning of his fall. His spine hits the ground. This creates a risk associated with the sudden increase in intrathoracic pressure upon contact with the ground, which can cause damage (alveolar, pulmonary contusions, pneumothorax, rib fractures). Damage to the spine is possible upon impact.
Then the calf is dragged across the sand by the tight rope attached to the horse because the horse has not stopped. When the horse moves and changes direction, calf 9 is dragged in the sand 180 degrees to be hung horizontally once again but in the opposite direction, while the horse to which he is attached via the rope continues to move.