Electric prods shock horses in Web video

DENVER, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- U.S. officials from the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo are investigating a Web video that appears to show men shocking rodeo horses with hand-held devices.

The video, posted on YouTube by the animal rights group Showing Animals Respect & Kindness, or SHARK, shows handlers touching broncos' necks or hips with small electrical devices to make them run out of their pens into the arena during the show in Denver last week, The Denver Post reported Sunday.

The group's leader, Steve Hindi, said the group did not want to end rodeos, just make sure the rodeo follows its own rule against unnecessary electric prodding of animals.

The rodeo is investigating the incident allegedly shown in the video, spokeswoman Kati Anderson said in a statement, but Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rules allow electric prods to be used when horses will not go into the arena.