Coca-Cola And Rodeo, Animal Cruelty Just Doesn't "Go Better With Coke"

A horse that was removed from the Frontier Park Arena during Sunday's Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo performance has died.

Strawberry Fudge, a 4-year-old mare owned by the Vold Rodeo Company, fell to the arena floor on its right side shortly after leaving the chute. Rookie saddle bronc rider Brett Olive of Ford, Kan., was pinned underneath the horse until on-site veterinarians positioned the horse to load it in the arena's animal ambulance.

Arena personnel immobilized and sedated the animal to prevent further injury prior to loading it.

It is suspected Stawberry Fudge suffered head and neck injuries, which resulted in decreased motor function.

Although that was the most tragic incident Sunday, several other injuries and unusual happenings had spectators on the edge of their seats.

Dan Yeager had his rookie bronc horse fall into the stairwell of the camera pit. The horse's momentum carried Yeager over the railing and prevented an injury. The bronc stood right back up and began running towards Chute 9 and the timed event athletes waiting to make their runs.

Strawberry Fudge on her way down

(note the strap under her belly, that is a flank strap, used to make the horse buck. Often the riders will put pins, thistles, anything irritating under the strap for more wild bucking. In reality, anything on that part of the horses body is painful. At the end of the ride you will see the rider release the flank strap and the horse immediately stops bucking. And they call themselves men!)

Strawberry Fudge - dead (note the cowboys are roping her feet to drag her away)

Terrified horse jumping the chute

Neck jerked calf. Various veterinarians have described the "meat" of calves used in rodeo as looking like hamburger, due to the numerous neck jerking and being thrown to the ground

Guess who supports this cruel and inhumane form of entertainment?

Call Coca-Cola and express your displeasure. Mention you will be boycotting their products until they stop sponsoring animals in entertaiment events. Get ready for their talking points, the phones have already started ringing. 800-438-2653. If you can sleep at night, knowing what goes on in rodeo, please don't bother to make that call.

For further information regarding animal cruelty in entertainment, please visit www.sharkonline.org