A woman poses for a photograph with light sculptures depicting animals that make up the twelve animals of the zodiac during a photocall to promote the Magical Lantern Festival at Chiswick House Gardens in west London on January 29, 2016. The festival, to celebrate Chinese New Year 2016 – the Year of the Monkey, uses more than 50 hand-sculpted lanterns and is set to run from Febuary 3 to March 6, 2016. (Photo by Justin Tallis/AFP Photo)

Animal rights activists from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in dinosaur costumes hold placards urging people to go vegan, ahead of Earth Day celebration, in Manila, Philippines, April 21, 2022. (Photo by Lisa Marie David/Reuters)

Belgian Wendy Adriaens, the founder of De Passiehoeve, an animal rescue farm where animals support people with autism, depression, anxiety, or drug problems, offers a hug to Blondie, a 6-year-old female ostrich at Passiehoeve farm, in Kalmthout, Belgium on March 8, 2024. (Photo by Yves Herman/Reuters)

A woman holds her dog as it is blessed by a priest in Benalmadena, near Malaga, Spain, January 17, 2016. Hundreds of pet owners bring their animals to be blessed every year on the day of San Anton, Spain's patron saint of animals. (Photo by Jon Nazca/Reuters)

Boy says hello to a swimming bear in Seattle, Washington on October 4, 2022. Fall weather brings out the Animals' playful side as Attendees celebrate World Animal Day with a visit to Woodlawn Park Zoo. (Photo by Shane Srogi/ZUMA Press Wire/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Chinese models with animal-themed body paintings pose during a campaign for animal protection at Sanya Color Zoo in Sanya city, south China's Hainan province, 10 January 2016. The girls wearing strapless bras and short pants only were colored with animal-themed paintings such as zebra, cheetah, tiger and peacock. They paraded throughout the newly-opened Sanya Color Zoo and met visitors to take pictures, causing envies from netizens living in north China who are suffering chills. (Photo by Imaginechina/Splash News)

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.