Horse euthanized after Agribition rodeo injury

A horse was euthanized after being injured at the Pro Rodeo at Agribitionin Reginaon Thursday night.

A man who witnessed the incident at the bareback event described it in an email to CBC News.

"Watched the horse complete a successful round and finished at end far from chutes," he said.

"The horse firstwent down in the hindquarters, then collapsed onto its side, tried to roll and raise its head (and the rider bailed out) and then had itsmouth open with tongue protruding.Looked like the horse dropped dead."

The man said the horse appeared to be more "sped up" or "frenetic" than the other horses he saw.He also described it as smaller than the other horses.

He said he did not witness the euthanasia because the horse was under a large tarp when it was put down.

Chris Lane, the CEO of the agricultural trade show,said the horsewasevaluated by the head veterinarian who determined ithad suffered a neck or spine injury, Lane said.

"The decision was made to euthanizethe horse," Lane said. "Rodeo and medical staff followed the protocol and made the most humane decision possible."

The horse was owned by the rodeo company C5.

"It's unfortunate," Lane said. "We're full of people here at this event who really do care about animals. It's not something we like to see happen."

Rodeo officials say the professional rodeo atAgribitionthis year is the first of its kind for Saskatchewan, with $100,000 in prize money.