Re: Wine Horse running, Caravaca de la Cruz

The costumes are fantastic and the colours are wonderful but the horses seemed stressed to me.

Re: Wine Horse running, Caravaca de la Cruz

I'm sure all animals that are surrounded by people and paraded around must get stressed Cass. It's a long, and I would imagine stressful, day for the horses. Their day finishes after they have done their short run up the castle drive. At least nobody is whipping them to go faster and they are not forced to jump over obstacles they don't want to, they just have the crowds and the noise to contend with one day each year.

The big Andalusian horse that Tiffany mentioned, is so laid back about it all it's untrue. It follows it's owner everywhere she goes, no lead rope, nothing, it just follows after her like a well behaved dog

Re: Wine Horse running, Caravaca de la Cruz

Thanks for the beautiful photos Clumsy. I have seen a film of these running horses and I understand that the cameraman said he didn't feel very safe.

Re: Wine Horse running, Caravaca de la Cruz

I can well understand that Twink. I will never again go to the castle to watch the run, it really is dangerous, no wonder they have a fleet of ambulances standing by ! The peñas for each horse stand in the middle of the road shouting for their horse, then at the very last second jump back to the sides and it´s like dominoes with up to six rows of people watching, all get pushed back when the supporters jump to the side. It´s really scary. Safe enough in the town though and you can see the horses doing their stuff on any number of huge screens around the town and in every bar and restaurant. It´s a brilliant day though, wonderful atmosphere and something you won´t see anywhere else.