Edited sentence: A bucking strap has to be an incentive, not a prod, or the horse will quickly sour and refuse to work.An injured animal will not buck well and hence a cowboy cannot obtain a high score for his ride, so sick or injured animals are not run through the chutes, but instead are given appropriate veterinary care so they can be returned to their usual level of strength and power.Bucking horses are a valuable investment, worth caring for and keeping in good health for many years, and no more or less likely to wind up shipped to slaughter than other domesticated horses.Health regulations mandate vaccinations and blood testing of horses crossing state lines, so rodeo horses receive routine care.However, myths of extreme cruelty in the USA persist.Like other horses, many of the best bucking horses are actually retired at the end of their working career and allowed to live into old age.Modern rodeos in the United States are closely regulated and have been responsive to accusations of animal cruelty.PRCA regulations require veterinarians to be available at all rodeos to treat both bucking stock and other animals as needed.The issue of horse slaughter is not correlated directly to the rodeo industry, it is an issue that crosses all equestrian disciplines.The reality is that a proven bucking horse can be sold for $8000 to $10,000, making "rough stock" a valuable investment that requires proper care.The same is not always true for rodeos in other parts of the world, particularly in third world nations.While it is widely stated that rough stock are sold for horsemeat, the reality is that any unwanted horse can meet this fate, including race horses, show horses, or even backyard pasture pets