Readers React:  Yeah, but how’d the calf feel?

To the editor: The point of the article is that a cowboy finds a good horse to do the man’s work of chasing a calf. (“Finding the right pardner,” Column One, Sept 22)

Bryce Runyan’s work as a “champion calf roper” is as follows: He lassos the calf around its neck, stopping it short, and then “he lifts it and slams it to the ground, its little legs wiggling in the air. The cowboy then binds three of its legs together.”

The article doesn’t say what happens next to the young calf, but it has already suffered terror and pain in front of an enthusiastic audience. It’s disgusting to me that this cruelty to a young animal is a sport.

Margot Rosenberg, Laguna Beach

..

To the editor: Thank you for a wonderful article. I don’t understand rodeo, never (willingly or successfully) rode a horse, but I do understand your portrait of Runyan and his horse Bruce.

In fact, I cried.

Thomas Rogillio, Glendale

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