It’s a tradition that dates back hundreds of years, where two stallions fight over a female to ring the Chinese new year. And when it’s the Year of the Horse, the fights are considered to be even more significant. They’re held in small villages across southern China and have been condemned by animal rights groups, including Hong-Kong based Animals Asia. But those who participate in the events defend the fights and insist they take care of the animals.

Protester Lauren Digioia wears police tape during an Occupy Wall Street protest in Union Square on March 19, 2012 in New York City. Protesters affiliated with the movement are gathering in Union Square today following 73 arrests at a six-month anniversary rally at Zuccotti Park over the weekend. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Vanessa Silva, 38, feeds macaws that fly to her apartment window every day looking for food, in Caracas, Venezuela, on November 24, 2014. A group of gold-and-royal blue birds poked their heads through Silva’s window, as if saying “I’m here, is anyone home?” “I’d seen them flying when I was down on the street, and I thought ‘Oh how pretty,’” the 38-year-old said, a macaw eating out of her hand. (Photo by Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)

Ice covered leafs are pictured on a tree near Amstall in northern Austria, December 2, 2014. Freezing fog and rain covered parts of the region with ice, causing blocked roads due to fallen trees and closed schools for security reasons, local media report. (Photo by Heinz-Peter Bader/Reuters)

A Tibetan living-in-exile in India attends a peace march during the 62nd Tibetan National Uprising Day in the suburb of McLeod Ganj, the seat of the Central Tibetan Administration in exile, near Dharamsala, India, 10 March 2021. Tibetan Uprising Day is held annually on 10 March and commemorates the Tibetan uprising against the presence of the People's Republic of China in Tibet in 1959. (Photo by Sanjay Baid/EPA/EFE)

Stumpy the mascot dances near “Stumpy” the cherry tree at the tidal basin in Washington, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The weakened tree is experiencing its last peak bloom before being removed for a renovation project that will rebuild seawalls around Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park. (Photo by Nathan Ellgren/AP Photo)

Spectators dance in the infield before the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY on Saturday, May 04, 2024. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

A Cuban fisherman prepares to fish in a makeshift raft in Havana Bay on July 16, 2024. When the weather permits, artisanal fishermen take to the water in improvised polystyrene rafts to make up for the lack of means and fuel. (Photo by Yamil Lage/AFP Photo)