Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Clydesdale

I'm sure this post had the makings of some terribly clever, Michael Vick-alluding title, but it's Friday afternoon and I can't be bothered to suss it out.

Since the equine carnage isn't being perpetrated by a high-pofile professional athlete, it's arguably of negligible news value, but the photo alone compelled recognition.

While horse fighting has been outlawed in many nations, it still thrives in China, the Philippines, Indonesia and South Korea.

The horses are often bred specifically for combat, and during the events onlookers take bets on which animal will triumph.

To start the horses fighting, a mare in heat is usually presented to the animals and quickly removed.

Horses that do not immediately engage in battle are whipped, or gunshots are fired to provoke them. The stallion left standing is declared the winner.

The International Fund for Horses says competing horses are often ill-matched, resulting in gruesome injuries and even death to the weaker opponent.

"While tradition has long been used to legitimize horse fighting, money and gambling appears to be the real reason for its continued existence".

(HT: Fark)