Horse dies at Methven rodeo

Photo / File

There are renewed calls for an end to rodeos in New Zealand after the death of a horse at a mid-Canterbury event.

The horse was injured during a second division saddle bronc event at the annual Methven rodeo on Sunday when the saddle slipped and the horse became entangled.

The animal was sedated by a vet, but later died.

SAFE Head of Campaign Marianne Macdonald said they were appalled.

"Animals are put at risk not just of injury and death like the fall yesterday, but in every event, animals are put through distress purely for the fun of the minority, and that is just unacceptable."

Macdonald said it came a day after SAFE released distressing footage from a rodeo in Warkworth online.

"Animal handlers are shown electric prods, hitting them, and just basically riling them up so they would jump out into the ring and perform."

New Zealand Rodeo Cowboys Association president Lyal Cocks said the incident at Methven was a rare accident, something he hadn't seen before in his 40 years involved in rodeos.