Last Updated: February 17, 2024, 16:34 IST
The undated video has gathered hundreds of views. (Photo Credits: X)
Horses are very sensitive to noise generated during weddings and often become agitated.
Horses are a quintessential part of Indian weddings. The groom often arrives at the wedding venue on a horse as the dancing guests surround him. Now, a video has gone viral that shows a horse giving a strong kick to a man who was enthusiastically dancing near the horse. The animal’s kick is so strong that the man falls several feet away. It is unclear when and where this video was taken, but the clip was likely taken during a wedding procession. This video has gathered hundreds of likes since it was posted on X on February 15. Commenting on it, an X user wrote, “Even the horse is offended by his moves.” Another person joked, “Well, that’s one way to make an entrance!”
Animal rights activists have long called for banning the use of horses in weddings or other functions, as horses are very sensitive to loud sounds and can become agitated in the presence of large crowds. As per PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), “the auditory onslaught of weddings can be too much for horses to bear and they often panic, which can lead to accidents.” The animal rights group adds, “When the horses aren’t being forced to endure the chaos of wedding ceremonies, they’re often confined to filthy sheds full of biting flies that torment them. Their back legs are often constantly tethered, sometimes limiting their mobility so much that they can’t turn around or even lie down comfortably.” Horse handlers also commonly beat horses into submission during the events.
Back in July 2022, a similar video emerged from the Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh where a horse got scared by the loud music and began kicking the wedding guests. As a result, many had to be admitted to a private hospital to treat the injuries.
Similarly, in July 2021, a wedding in Ajmer came to a halt after the horse carrying the groom ran away while the man was still seated. The wedding guests had to chase the horse for over four kilometres. Fortunately, neither the groom nor the horse was injured. The groom was able to reach the wedding in time.