Off their heads! 1920s photography craze for 'horsemaning' has a very modern makeover

It was a photography craze which went viral almost a century before internet trends were born.

And with the swift death of 'planking' and 'owling', it was only a matter of time before 'horsemaning' had its moment once more.

Spurred by historical pictures of people cleverly posing as if they had been beheaded, internet users have flooded sites with their own takes on the concept.

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Drinking through it: Te head takes a swig, aided by the arm of the lifeless body

In one shot, above, a man lies back behind the arm of a sofa, while hiding all but his face from the camera.

A flailing arm then lifts a beer bottle to the friend's mouth, making it appear as if he continues to drink after being brutally decapitated.

Sofas seem a popular prop, with many using them to create the bizarre illusion.

The original: Horsemaning was a huge photography craze almost a century ago

Other pictures involve women's heads screaming as their bodies lie over walls and around lining room furniture.

In one shot a man lies beneath a car, while a head perches on top of the bonnet, creating the illusion of a brutal car crash.



Scream: The head shouts as the body cups her chin

Tragic? The way these men have posed makes it look as if a man has been in a horrific car accident - while managing to keep his hat on

Bewildered: By leaning back, one person creates the effect of being beheaded, while another exposes just their head

Sunbathing: The head hides behind sunglasses, as the body lies supine

The trend follows on from the popular crazes of 'planking' and 'owling'. 'Owling' consists of people sitting like the nocturnal bird in unusual positions, while ‘planking’ involves people taking pictures of themselves lying face down in strange locations.

Smiley: In this photograph, the head looks pleased with herself

Handy: The shape of this couch makes it easier for the body to look headless

In recent months, however, the crazes have become increasingly mainstream - and thus less popular with trend-conscious internet users. In June, the celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay posted pictures of himself planking - a development that prompted trend-watchers to declare the craze ‘officially dead’.

What a plank: Gordon Ramsay tweeted a picture of him planking, putting a swift end to the previously trendy online craze





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