Horrible Spanish custom

It sounds like its only a small part of the Fiesta rather than something that goes on for days.

Looks like the same training that goes into the Spanish Riding School displays that people happily fork out for tickets for over here. I know the crowds trying to get close to the stallions looks unsettling but at least they seem to like the horses, I'm sure our police horses are subjected to far worse on a more regular basis than once a year.
 
Its a different culture. Andalusians and Lusitanos find vertical movements relatively easy and they are trained for that sort of showy riding. The crowds are just enthusiastic. We train horses to do lots of unnatural things.
 
it's a different culture that perhaps we should take the time to learn more about before we pass judgement
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, just because we don't see that type of thing happening over here doesn't instantly mean it is wrong. At a glance tho I would think the public are in far more danger than the horses are!!
 
I don't think that's bad compared to some of the spanish 'traditions' involving animals. I don't think that's any worse than a police horse having to dispurse a crowd of football hooligans!
 
.Cant see what the problem is! Does watching the Spanish School horses make you sad too? These horses are trained to rear to its not as if they are being terrified into it just for the fiesta.I would be more worried about the health and safety of the spectators
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Mairi.
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It is deemed phenomenally good luck to touch the horses, the spectators choose to stand there and play a part - tis their own fault if they get knocked on the head
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Legend has it that people are trying to hold the horses up, but I don't know about the history of that, just a random fact that I know LOL!
 
I might have known it was the Mail. They must scour the globe for tails of animal 'cruelty', taken out of context and with no understanding of, or regard for, local culture, while systematically ignoring the day to day cruelty in the UK.
 
I'm no fan of the Mail and agree they love to sensationalise stories but the horses look terrified and in my book that's not on
 
Its apparently good luck to touch over the heart of the stallion. Magnificent horses, but I wouldnt let mine take part.
 
shock horror, I put a comical comment on the story at lunchtime about my mare doing it as and when she pleases and that it hasn't done her any harm! Then also that horses are free spirits and won't do anything they don't want to and the mail haven't posted it!!!
 
Although I have not been to this festival I have been to a display by some of these Menorcan stallions. They are trained to a very high level (think Spanish Riding School) and were very well looked after. They are not constantly on their hind legs it is just a movement they perform. Whilst I agree the crowds may well cause them some stress it is nothing like the hostile crowds some police horses face. I agree with most of the other posters, there are far worse things done to animals here and abroad than this.
 
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