
This is the moment two stallions fight over a female horse in a barbaric Chinese tradition which dates back hundreds of years.

The event was held at Rongshui Miao Autonomous County in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Auang Autonomous Region yesterday in front of a huge audience.

A mare enters the ring, before they allow two males in to fight over her. The crowd look on gripped by the bloody action in front of them. Some people are seen taking pictures and videos on their phones and cameras.

The female horse watches on and dances round the ring, flattered by the interest in her.

These type of competitions are held in small villages by Miao people across southern China to ring in the new year. When it's the Year of the Horse, the fights are said to hold more significance.

Before each fight people bet on who the winner will be and can often earn around 10,000 yuan (£1,064) per battle.

Animal rights campaigners condemn the fights, which are said to be around 500 years old. But those who take part are adamant that they take care of the horses.

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This is the moment two stallions fight over a female horse in a barbaric Chinese tradition which dates back hundreds of years. Pictured are the horses fighting with the brown one going in for a bite (right)

Two horses fight during a competition in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County in Liuzhou, in front of an enthralled audience

The event was held at Rongshui Miao Autonomous County in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Auang Autonomous Region yesterday in front of a huge audience

The crowd look on gripped by the bloody action in front of them. Some people are seen taking pictures and videos on their phones and cameras

These type of competitions are held in small villages by Miao people across southern China to ring in the new year. When it's the Year of the Horse, the fights are said to hold more significance

Animal rights campaigners condemn the fights, but those who take part are adamant that they take care of the horses

Before each fight people bet on who the winner will be and can often earn around 10,000 yuan (£1,064) per battle