Six Calgary area people carrying placards demonstrated against the exploitation of animals in front of the entrance to the rodeo grounds during the Labour Day Weekend Rodeo in Cochrane.

Spokesperson Alex says they descended upon the rodeo here and a few others in Southern Alberta, including the Calgary Stampede, to voice disapproval of how animals are used.

"We want to be on the side of the animals because most people aren't," she says.

"It boils down to the exploitation of animals. For us, it's not just rodeos, it's everything that has to do with the use of rodeos."

They don't believe that animals should be used for entertainment.

She says they received some support for their protester but have had people voice shout out their disagreement with their protest and have given them the thumbs down.

"Some people are supportive, but especially when you come to a place like Cochrane because obviously, rodeo is engrained in the culture and tradition here, there's lots of resistance."

"I don't think with us standing here all of the sudden rodeos are going to end for good, but at least it gets people thinking a little bit. Even if they don't agree with us, it challenges their narrative, their norm, and what they've grown up with so that's good, we're not expecting massive changes, but at least get people thinking about it."

The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association says it has more than 60 rules dealing with the care and treatment of livestock that are strictly enforced.