Animal Racing: Shifting Codes of Canadian Social Tolerance

Abstract

The Calgary Stampede represents one setting for examining the nature and prevalence of, as well as the response to, animal abuse in racing sports. This chapter undertakes such an examination using the figurational approach of Norbert Elias. With specific respect to equine welfare in chuckwagon racing at the Calgary Stampede, four specific arguments are made. First, chuckwagon racing provides clear evidence of changing social perceptions toward the use/abuse of animals in entertainment/sport. Second, there are obvious and acknowledged examples of harm/abuse toward the animals involved, although it is difficult to provide an accurate account of this due to limited data and a lack of transparency in this field. Third, the elements of Eliasian sociology (especially its core concepts of civilization/de-civilization and sportization) are helpful for understanding these shifts in social perceptions and how they are linked concretely to changing practices. Finally, although it is questionable as to whether current social responses are enough in terms of preventing harm to animals, the appearance of more caring approaches to animal welfare may have the paradoxical effect of softening concern even as potential harm to animals remains very real and injury continues.