UTAH’S CRUELTY TO Agency and Industry Goals: What You Need to Know ANIMALS LAWS About Horse Tripping Events

Protect the reputation and image of The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Utah Criminal Code: 76-9-301 your equine and livestock sport venue and Utah’s Agriculture Advisory Board, pro- Unless the conduct toward the creature, and mote the proper care and treatment of all live- the care provided to the creature, is in accord- stock. Livestock play a vital role in the man- ance with accepted animal husbandry practic- agement and care of production agriculture and es; and the animal is owned, kept, or used for in various sporting/recreational events, specifi- rodeo purposes, and the conduct toward the cally rodeos. Proper and lawful animal hus- creature, and the care provided to the crea- bandry practices are essential to maintaining ture, is in accordance with accepted rodeo sustainable production agriculture operations practices; and if the conduct toward the crea- and meaningful recreational events. ture, and the care provided to the creature, is in accordance with accepted animal husband- ry practices or customary farming practices; Goals of UDAF and Utah’s Agriculture Indus- A person is guilty of cruelty to an animal if try Representatives: the person, without legal privilege to do so,  Promote proper care and handling of all intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, or with livestock. criminal negligence injures an animal; which is a class B misdemeanor if committed inten-  Discourage horse tripping events in Utah. tionally or knowingly; or a class C misde-  Network with other rodeo type and animal meanor if committed recklessly or with crim- use groups. inal negligence.  Educate local and state event coordinators regarding proper animal husbandry Local law enforcement agencies enforce this practices. statute. Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

LuAnn Adams Commissioner of Agriculture

Utah Department of Cody James, Director Agriculture and Food Division of Animal industry 801-538-7100 http://ag.utah.gov Background Participation Rules

In recent years, Utah has seen an increase  Events include Manganas a Pie First and foremost is the proper care and treat- in local and county rodeos that contain (Forefooting) and Manganas a Caballo or ment and lawful practice of all livestock. Edu- horse tripping as part of the event. This has (Forefooting on Horseback) involve roping cation and enforcement is essential for both triggered local and state government and the front legs of a horse being chased production agriculture, recreational and sport- agriculture industries to be concerned. around the arena. ing events. Animals used for rodeo events Therefore, based on Utah Code Annotated should be handled by competent, experienced 4-2-7: Where the Agricultural Advisory  There are also “Big Loop” or Horse Roping personnel at all times. Board shall advise the commissioner re- western style events that involve tripping  No person will abuse or mistreat any ani- garding the establishment of standards gov- the horse. These are hard to identify as mal by any noncompetitive or competitive erning the care of livestock and poultry, most Horse Roping events are part of Ranch action anywhere on the rodeo grounds. including consideration of acceptable prac- Rodeos, where tripping is NOT allowed. In tices for livestock and farm management. these events the horse is roped by a team,  Livestock will be removed from the arena one roping the neck and the 2nd roping the after each competition is complete. The Utah Department of Agriculture and front legs. Food, along with Utah’s Agriculture Indus-  There will be time limits for roping events. try Representatives promote the proper  Animals that are injured, sore, lame, sick care and treatment of all livestock used in New Pre and Post Event Rules or with impaired eyesight will not be in- all aspects of sporting events, pleasure, and cluded in the draw. Should an animal be- production agriculture. Visit www.ag.utah.gov and click on the “animals” icon come sick or incapacitated between the to learn more and apply. time it is drawn and the time it is sched- UDAF discourages any arena owner from holding uled to be used in competition, that animal What is Horse Tripping ? horse tripping events. If an event it to be held, the will not be used in competition, and anoth- following rules must be followed: er animal will be drawn for the contestant. Horse tripping is the intentional roping or  Any event in which a horse is roped or tripped lassoing of the legs of an equine, followed as part of the event or contest must be reported by the intentional causing of the equine to Second, is public perception and media aware- to UDAF at least 30 days in advance of the trip or fall. ness. With today’s phones, everybody has a event camera and video device. The popularity of Horse Tripping for entertainment can  No later than 30 days after the event the follow- social media sharing makes it very likely that come in two forms. The most common somebody will put your event in the news. form is part of a Mexican Rodeo, or ing must be reported to UDAF: charreada (or charrería). 1. The number of horse roping or tripping events or contests held.  The charreada consists of nine events 2. The type of roping of tripping events. for men plus one for women, all of which involve horses, cattle or both. 3. The number of horses used.