-Nine stallions fight to decide who is king of the meadow

By Emily Allen


Battle for supremacy: The group of stallions gathered in the meadow to hold their battle and mark their territory


These horses took a battering as they kicked each other in the chest and neck in a showdown fight for supremacy over their meadow.

A group of nine stallions gathered on the mountain-side meadow to hold their annual battle and mark their territory.

Photographer Magnus Hoog captured the remarkable final round between a grey North Swede, thought to be eight-years-old, and a brown Arab, aged ten.


The winning grey horse secured the best part of the common for himself and a herd of three. The defeated nag was forced to walk away with two others.

All the privately-owned horses, fitted with rubber shoes to limit injuries, remained on the common to eat grass throughout the summer.

They will return to a shelter in the Swedish province of Dalarna over winter.

Battle: Photographer Magnus Hoog captured the fierce conflicts on camera, including a violent fight between a grey North Swede, and a brown Arab

Magnus, who lives nearby, said: 'The horses start arriving in the meadow from nine o'clock in intervals of roughly 30 to 60 minutes.

'Each newcomer is greeted with hostility by those already on the meadow and this results in fights.

'The aim of the fight is to establish ranks among them.


Victory: The winning grey horse secured the best part of the common for himself and a herd of three. The loser walked away with two other weaklings

'The North Swede was crowned the king of the meadow while the Arab and his two mates were left with a remote corner.

'The stallions are wearing rubber horse shoes rather than regular metal ones because the owners do not want their horses to get hurt.

'Nevertheless, the sound is impressive when a horse kicks and hits another one. Their power is beyond belief.'

The 53-year-old added: 'There is wildlife in the area but no bears or wolves so the horses are safe.'


source:dailymail