Horses have been part of human culture since we began domesticating them. Fridays are a great day for all of us to celebrate (or denounce) horse culture from around the globe.
Um…
Obviously this picture is controversial and will upset some of you. Horses or bulls in a bullring is not something we endorse. However, we will call attention to abusive cultures, because only the horse lovers of the world will do anything about it. This picture is an example of the kinds of injuries a bullring horse may sustain doing it’s frightful job.
Historical Reference
Bull fighting has been a part of Spanish culture for a long time, perhaps since Roman times. The sport is also practiced in parts of France, Portugal, Ecuador and the US, but often it is a bloodless sport where the bull is provided protective gear and mock weapons are used. We will spare everyone the gory fight details, it is not something we intend to glorify. It’s history is a bloody one, let’s put a stop to it.
Modern Times
These days bullfighting is falling in popularity and in parts of Spain they have stopped it altogether, plus the lockdowns took their toll on the sport. Although this isn’t the only dangerous sport for bulls in Spain, it is probably the most dangerous one for horses. In may of 2024, Spain abolished a national bullfighting award and the bullfight was on, as a firm in Seville offered free admission to children under eight a few days later. Ew.
Get Involved
The humane society recommends not spending money anywhere that is involved with bullfighting, PETA recommends guerilla warfare. In the middle is getting involved with a charity that helps animals injured by the sport or that works to change harmful laws. Here are a few places to start.