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.

Israelis in costumes spray water on each other during the annual Tel Aviv Water War on Hbima Square in Tel Aviv, Israel,10 July 2015. The annual water fight is on his 11th edition. (Photo by Abir Sultan/EPA)

Afghan dogs fight during the weekly dog fight in Kabul, Afghanistan, 17 February 2017. Under the Taliban dog fighting was forbidden, but since their fall it has become a major source of entertainment for hundreds of Afghans, where bets can amount to thousands of dollars and the dogs, which must be over one year old, are well-cared for by their owners and fed milk, butter and meat. (Photo by Hedayatullah Amid/EPA)

Muay Thai boxer Nong Rose Baan Charoensuk, who is transgender, trains at a gym in Buriram province, Thailand, July 3, 2017. Born Somros Polchareon, Rose said she identified as a woman at an early age and began wearing makeup and a sports bra in the ring.(Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters)

People run in panic after a coalition airstrike hit Islamic State fighters positions in Tahrir neighbourhood of Mosul, Iraq, November 17, 2016. (Photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters)

Shrine Parishioners pull their portable shrine during Nada No Kenka Matsuri, or Nada Fight Festival at Matsubara Hachiman Shrine on October 16, 2011 in Himeji, Hyogo, Japan. The fight, the highlight of the shrine's Autumn Harvest Festival, attracts 100,000 people. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

Lady Gaga arrives at Nevermind Nightclub on July 11, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. Lady Gaga fans gathered outside two Sydney nightclubs in hopes to catch a glimpse of the singer after she sent a cryptic tweet suggesting her she'd be stopping by the venues. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)

A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel competes in the Masters Agility Championship Finals competition during the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City, U.S. February 11, 2017. (Photo by Brendan McDermid/Reuters)