Mexico
Charreadas (or Charreria) — Mexican style rodeos — are a national sport in their home country. However, this cruel “sport” has now spread to the United States, mostly in western states.
There are ten individual competitions, six of which involve horses, and are all cruel. The second, seventh and eighth events are the ones most often targeted by horse protection advocates. These events involve what is commonly referred to in the U.S. as “horse tripping.” Points are awarded for literally tripping horses, and how quickly the charro can do it.
First they release a horse from a chute, often shocking the horse with an electric prod. A group of waiting charros force the horse into a full gallop. The competing charro — either on horseback or on the ground — lassos the front or hind legs of the horse, causing the animal to come crashing down to the ground.
There are three types of horse tripping events:
“Piales en lienzo”: roping the hind legs of a horse.
“Manganas a pie”: roping the front legs of a horse while on foot.
“Manganas a caballo”: roping the front legs of a horse while on horseback.
Images
Piales en lienzo | Mexico
Manganas a pie | Mexico
Manganas a caballo | Mexico
United States
U.S. Laws Against Horse Tripping with Citations | Fact Sheet
If you witness horse tripping in the U.S., please contact us in strict confidence. We would also appreciate your sending any images you have.
Fund for Horses 