Horse Fighting in Asia - Essay Example

? HORSE FIGHTING IN ASIA (Your teacher’s due 1 Introduction Horse fighting have now became common in almostall parts of the world. It is most popular practice in South Korea, Philippines, China and Indonesia. I have chosen this topic because horses are of great importance to me, they are most useful animals for sports and other safe activities and this practice of horse fighting in Asia is horrible and inhumane.one should try to stop this practice through legal laws and regulations. It results in the death of many horses which is unethical. These practices are conducted to entertain people in festivals or to conduct an event to facilitate people in their leisure times and to honor the guest. This thing is inhuman and brutal. Government should take actions against such practices. These fighting are conducted in stadiums or in the fields of different villages. Mostly, they are done in less populated areas. However in case of populated areas it is conducted on local road tracks, which may be harmful for citizens as well. That is why I have chosen this topic to study its context and history as well as analyzing it basis of how this game came into existence. 1.2 Horse fighting This sport is common in all parts of Asia. Horses are mainly used in fighting, kicking and biting in order to create entertainment and have a financial gain. This is mostly practiced in the countries which have more tourists each year. These people spend a lot to gain pleasure and try to earn money which leads to gambling on horse fighting. This practice is illegal one cannot harm other living being for entertainment or to have more money. There are many other ways to have these two things rather than conducting this sport. Horse fighting also involves a process and technique. Firstly, a mare is binged by injection of hormones. Then she is taken out tied with roped and as well as padded for couple of minutes so that they can pick her scent. Then the two stallions are released and they start fighting with each other, while mare stands at a distance. It is continued for several minutes, horses keep on biting and kicking each other, unless and until one goes out of the ring. If one does not get out of ring, it can lead to death of any one. These fights are conducted on daily basis and lead to bloody wounds on the body of horses every time when they enter in a race. This is very unhealthy and risky game for their life. It have been noted that most of the horses die after the fight or they are slaughtered for meat and are shot dead if they are unable to do fighting (Amschler Wolfgang, 1935). Horses are graceful, social and intelligent creatures that don’t fight among each other. Studies indicated that when horses are shown care and are given safe and healthy environment, in result they become a strong bond with human beings. They can help in many social activities. However, involving horses in fight with each other is against the nature. History is past, today in this modern world one should try to make best use of all resources rather than wasting them. Training and development Horses are trained for fights on the basis of a manual of war among horses which was written by Hittite horse master in 1350 BC. This was one of the earliest manual written on horses and is in practice till today. The most difficult part in training horses is to overcome its natural instinct to flee the smell of blood, from noise and confusion related to combat. It is also made to learn unusual movement of humans and fighting with the other horse. They are made to hurt other horse though kicking, biting and striking thus they are made to serve as a weapon. It is important to develop agility and balance in the horse while fighting with the other. So in this training and development program horses are made to learn all acts of fighting (Matt Van Hoven, 2008). 1.3 Historical perspective and analysis Horse fighting is a sport since 500 years back and is mainly done by Indonesia, China, South Korea, and Philippines. It is a sport in which two male horses fight with each other in a balanced environment for a female horse in heat. It is mostly conducted in Philippines festivals on the island of Mindanao. It is a cultural tradition in many countries, and is promoted on television and gets sponsorships from local businesses also. Therefore, horse fighting has a strong root in cultural tradition similar to that cock fighting which is also common in many Asian countries. Horse fighting in China Animals Asia investigators identified that horse fighting in China started in back 1997. This thing is still in practice even after the protest to the government. It is conducted in zoos and safari parks in China. This practice was established from the tradition of Miao minority living in southwest China. In accordance with the legend, it started 500 years ago. Two men feel in love with one girl. In order to solve this issue king Miao organized horse fighting and decided whoever, will win would marry the girl. So, horse fight in China started after this act of king Miao. Presently, in Miao community horse fighting has become very common among people mainly in events to celebrate New Year, so all these things make clear that horse fighting is mainly done to entertain tourists and visitors (Bielakowski Alexander M, 2007). It have been identified that mostly in Rongshui region of China, people do completion among themselves on the bet of horse fighting and this fight is conducted after every eight months, which is quite frequent. Horse fighting in Philippines Davao city is the largest hub of horse fighting in the Philippines. In this country horses fight is considered to be illegal but it is promoted on the basis of cultural tradition. Even government of this country has turned a blind eye towards this rule. In this count matches are mainly featured by local businesses and televisions in which they conduct tournaments and sponsorships. Price money is offered on the basis of bet made on horses. These are promoted by cultural traditions and are controlled by syndicates of crime, who earn high profits through betting and gambling. On every fight thousands of pounds are betted even in a small and poor country such as Philippines. In spite of the act on horse fighting passed in this country, not a single Philippines is caught while engaging in the activities of horse fighting. This shows that culture and traditions have given high value to horse fighting, without considering its drawbacks on humans as well as animals. 1.4 Actions against horse fighting A petition has been sent to United States with a request to take an action against these countries who are promoting horse fighting. It is harmful for both animals as well as human. Government officials are with the view that it is difficult to control these games as they deeply related to cultural celebrations. But, still they agree that there should be an end to this sport. In accordance with the recent news Efren Pinol, who is the mayor of Cotabato province, had made a historic move and signed an order to ban all traditions of horse fighting. Some other countries have also made moral progress in ending horse fighting. This fighting was banned in Philippines in 1998 in which Republic act 8485 was created but due to the lack of enforcement of laws and little penalty, this act was avoided and people started promoting horse fighting. Despite being an illegal practice and rules, no single person have been arrested while engaging in horse fighting activity since 1998, this is shocking news. Attempts made by national government animal’s welfare division to reduce horse fighting have also not availed. Countries who conduct these activities have high protection measures and defy any law enforced by the government in relation to horse fighting (Christiansen Eric, 2002). 1.5 Criticism against ban Countries who conduct this horse fighting are with the view that it is a cultural tradition which is going on from hundreds of years and is not an unethical practice. They have opposed against the ban of this activity. However, this is partially true that traditions have made horse fighting legitimate, but gambling and money are the main reason for the existence of horse fighting. It have also been noted that government of China also enhances the cruel activity of horse fighting mainly on the New Year event which is used to attract tourist and visitors. It helps to get rid of poverty because these people spend a lot on betting which promotes earning in the country (Helen, 1990). 1.6 Conclusion Horse fighting has become very popular in many parts of the world. People have considered it a cultural tradition because it is in practice from the last decades i.e. kings used to do this practice to solve issues and problems related to the economy and later were also used to celebrate festivals. But in present environment, it is mainly used to entertain tourist and visitors and to gain money. It is also used for the promotion of betting and gambling, which itself is an illegal practice. In this game two horses are made to fight with each other for a female horse. They kick, bite and strike the other to win. This can also lead to death of the horse. It have also been noted that some horses die after the fight due to weakness or they are shot dead because most of them are unable to fight due to injury and weakness. Many laws have been in forced by government but they are not followed because countries have considered it a tradition or lawpersons themselves deny it for the benefits they receive from these games. References Amschler, Wolfgang. (1935). The Earliest horseback riding and its relation to charity and ware fare. The Journal of Heredity 26 (6): 233–238 Bielakowski, Alexander M. (2007). General Hawkins's war: The Future of the Horse in the U.S. Cavalry. The Journal of Military History 71 (1): 137. Christiansen, Eric. (2002). The Norsemen in the Viking age. Blackwell Publishing.120-130 Helen (1990). Tournaments and their Relevance for Warfare in the Early Modern Period. European History Quarterly 20 (20): 451–463 Matt,Van Hoven. (2008). Horse Fighting Still Part of Asian Cultures (1st American ed.). New York, NY: Dorling Kindersley Read More