Diving horses of Atlantic City in 1881

[margaret_ann]

I have never seen anything like this in my life. Apparently this was a huge tourist attraction in the late 1800s.

Does anyone have any details about this type of thing? I didn't see the movie, Wild Hearts can't be Broken, but between the blind girl and the horses diving off towers, this is quite a bit of unusual history.

http://www.barnmice.com/video/the-diving-horses-of-atlantic

 

[PucciNPoni]

I remember seeing this type of photo when I was growing up...but never really thought it was real, if you know what I mean.

 

[Snowysadude]

It did indeed happen from all the accounts i have heard (found out about it a couple of months ago! You can find old vids of it around and there is a horse that re-enacts it in america even today (from a much lower height though!). Horses really are amazing creatures and what they put up with still astounds me!!

 

[FrodoBeutlin]

I remember watching the movie about Sonora, years ago!

It's just amazing what horses can do

 

[jo1]

I love that film - have seen it about a dozen times and it always makes me cry

x

 

[Kenzo]

I can remember watching the film, never really knew how to feel about it to be honest but it did make me feel uncomfortable watching it.

Its a good film, but some people may find it distressing in places to watch.

 

[hellspells]

I loved that film too!! Watched it over and over again.

 

[margaret_ann]

I had heard of the film before, but knew nothing about it. Is it about the girl? Also, do horrible things happen to horses? If so, I can watch it.

 

[squirtlysmum]

Mmm, just feel thats wrong!

 

[happyhack]

Wow! She carried on even though she was blind. Incredible woman.

Cant believe none of the horses were injured. Just goes to show how amazing horses can be!

 

[Lobelia_Overhill]

From what I read, many years ago, the horses didn't "dive" they stood on a platform that was dropped from under them...

 

[Boxers]

[ QUOTE ]
From what I read, many years ago, the horses didn't "dive" they stood on a platform that was dropped from under them...

[/ QUOTE ]

I have never heard of this or the film - just seen the Youtube posted here.

I suspected that this is what might happen - I really can't see how you could train a horse to dive like that without giving it a 'push'.

 

[ester]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNHPqutWD...PL&index=16

thats a vid of the american pone that does it atm!

and a 1970s vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0Ikr5Z1RY4&feature=fvw

horse jumps at 2.59, definitely jumps no collapsing platform.