Animal Liberation NSW executive director Mark Pearson will present footage of Australian rodeos, including images he says have led to prosecutions, to councillors.

"The case that we will be putting is that of animal cruelty inherent in rodeos, with the use of the electric prodders, calf roping and steer wrestling," Mr Pearson said.

"Even if they put a ban on two or three of those processes in a rodeo, that might be an option they might consider."

Mr Pearson said rodeos promoted violent behaviour towards animals in front of children.

"This is an event which is about forcing animals to do things they are really not interested in," he said.

"All animal protection organisations around the world oppose rodeos, including the RSPCA."

Cessnock would be treated as a test case, and at least one councillor had indicated he supported the move, Mr Pearson said.

Roslyn Lindsay, who runs a rodeo event being held at Cessnock on Saturday and is a former full-time contestant, said the animals at her events were treated like "prized possessions".

There was no calf-roping, the animals were not antagonised, and the stock's welfare was a priority, she said.

"Yes, the horses fall over but they get up and no harm comes to them and . . . it's very rare," Mrs Lindsay said.

"The horses that come down to this rodeo are all in perfect condition, they enjoy their job, believe it or not. They have all got names, they all come to you."

But she agreed with the general manager of Pro Rodeo Australia, Steve Hilton, about photos of rodeos supplied by Animal Liberation NSW.

"They don't look great, do they," Mr Hilton said.

He agreed it was unlikely the horses depicted in the photographs were "enjoying their work".