Posted on 11/30/2007 8:56:01 AM PST by Uncledave
Horror as Chinese horses are forced to fight to the death By BARRY WIGMORE
Chinese spectators smile sadistically at the inhumane spectacle of two beautiful horses savagely attacking one another.
With ears back, eyes rolling and nostrils flared in fury, the enraged horses pummel each other with their hooves and bite and head-butt each other in a horrifying fight, sometimes to the death.
Men, women and children watch, and a roar of approval goes up as one horse delivers the equivalent of a double-uppercut to its opponent with its hind legs.
The cruel "sport" of horse fighting has been outlawed almost worldwide, but it still thrives in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea and here in China, as these disturbing images of a "tournament" prove.
They were taken in Guizhou province in south-west China, where local people claim such events are a part of a 500-year-old tradition. The horses have been goaded to fury by their owners who urge them on as they hang on to halter ropes to prevent the horses running off.
All around wildly cheering crowds lay bets on which one will be standing when the fighting ends.
It goes on for half an hour or more, until one or the other collapses or is simply too exhausted to continue.
The Chinese government would prefer you not to see these pictures as it tries to clean up its image for the Beijing Olympics which are only eight months away.
But critics say horse fighting is as widespread as ever in the huge country's far-flung provinces, especially among the Miao ethnic group.
Like bear-baiting and cruelty to circus animals, authorities say it is difficult to stop an event that is embedded in local culture, and frequently celebrated at festivals along with fireworks and fancy-dress dragon parades.
In outlying towns horse fights often take place in the main football stadium.
The stallions are driven into a frenzy by the simple ploy of leading them to a mare in heat, then taking her away when they are roused. Mares are often injected with hormones to keep them in heat longer. If they are still reluctant when the mare is removed, they are whipped, and gunshots are fired to stir them up.
A losing horse is often pitted against a much stronger opponent in its next fight to ensure it dies and the spectators get the bloody finale they enjoy. Then, according to reports from some of the remote regions, the dead horse is barbecued as part of the festival.
Vivian Farrell, who has waged a long campaign against the fighting as founder and president of the International Fund for Horses, said: "It is very hard to tackle. They say it's a tradition. Well, it used to be a tradition to sacrifice children, but we've moved on from that.
"Sadly it is mostly driven by the Chinese love of gambling, although people get fired up over the blood, gore and intensity of the fighting."
She sees some hope for progress as China emerges more into the international community. "I get emails now from younger Chinese people saying they don't like this image and asking what they can do.
"With the Olympics coming, young Chinese people want to be seen to be more humane. But it's going to take a lot of education and a long time."
A spokeswoman for PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – who are campaigning for a worldwide ban on the fights, said: "Torturing these magnificent animals in the name of entertainment is deplorable. Tradition never justifies cruelty and has no place in a civilised society."
I just returned from a trip to China...
Actually a friend of my daughter’s found info while doing research for a paper on animal abuse. Snopes has more info, my daughter only mentioned cats- but seems they may be stomping all sorts of critters, and even men. Snopes has not yet determined if it is true but there is supposed to be videos...you might want to check out the videos to be sure.
http://www.snopes.com/photos/gruesome/crushvideo.asp
Wrong! Read the Bible as proof. On various occasions, Jesus ate fish, He helped the disciples catch fish, and He distributed fish to the crowds that followed Him. Also, the Apostle Peter received a vision from God which removed the dietary restriction against eating "unclean" animals.
O c'mon. This is entireley different. Also regarding the wild horses that does not happen that much because the dominate stallion and dominate mare keep their status for years. They also don't fight to the death. Generally most wild herd animals will start a fight but it ends quickly and is not prolonged.
I should add that many 2nd and 3rd world countries practice this today, not just the chinese...putting back peoples leftover into the communal pot. Not all countries have abundunt food like we have. I betcha it was even done in our country in the 1700-1800's
Not much different than a Mexican rodeo - both disgusting.
John the Baptist ate Locusts and wild honey which is made from bees.
I suppose so but it isn’t done ever in this house. When I was growing up if we dared use our fork to take something from the dish on the table with our fork my father would poke us in the hand with his fork & do it hard. We never were allowed to share drinks . My father insisted on table manners & napkins on your lap. I still eat with my left hand on my lap unless I am cutting meat.
I've noticed in the movies that the horses are never shot at or "lanced" during a battle. In real life, the horses are the biggest, easiest target. Great way to bring down a fully armored knight.
So Christ would be in favor of slaughterhouses?
Yes or No.
You mean the kind where animals are killed quickly and humanely?
Um, isn’t there a difference between trying to win a war and what one does for kicks?
There is. War horses were taught to fight and the men who rode them, I am sure, hated to lose them. To fight a horse (or any other animal) for enjoyment is despicable.
As opposed to chickens, beef, fish, and pigs which we kill in a much kinder and gentler way, before eating them - except lobster, which we boil alive.
::::::::::::
If god didn’t want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
If God didn’t want us to eat animals, why did he make them out of meat?
That was a bold statement. Are you a Seventh Day Adventist?
sw
Cats are scalded so that their skins cook and easily peel off. THis is done while the cat is still alive. It is believed this enhances the flavor of the meat.
No. Do you murder bugs? Germs?
Yes
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.