{"id":2540800,"date":"2026-01-17T13:26:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T18:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/horses-leap-through-flames-and-pets-go-to-church-in-spanish-animal-rituals-honoring-st-anthony\/"},"modified":"2026-01-17T13:29:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T18:29:40","slug":"horses-leap-through-flames-and-pets-go-to-church-in-spanish-animal-rituals-honoring-st-anthony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/horses-leap-through-flames-and-pets-go-to-church-in-spanish-animal-rituals-honoring-st-anthony\/","title":{"rendered":"Horses leap through flames and pets go to church in Spanish animal rituals honoring St Anthony"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fhorses-leap-through-flames-and-pets-go-to-church-in-spanish-animal-rituals-honoring-st-anthony%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2540800&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>In the small village of San Bartolom\u00e9 de Pinares, about 100 km from Madrid, the centuries-old Las Luminarias festival sees riders guide horses through bonfires each January to honor St. Anthony the Abbott and &#8211; locals say &#8211; to purify and protect the animals for the coming year. Giant stacks of branches are burned at night while riders prepare horses with fire-resistant tape on tails,protective glazes,braided manes and decorative ribbons.The spectacle draws loyal crowds and brings family and visitors back to the depopulating countryside, though <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tucker-carlson-slams-nih-study-that-created-transgender-monkeys-for-hiv-research\/\" title=\"Tucker Carlson Slams NIH Study That Created Transgender Monkeys for HIV Research\">animal rights groups<\/a> criticize the practice; residents maintain horses are rarely injured. The following day in Madrid and elsewhere, pet owners bring dogs and cats to churches for priests to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/india-tries-canceling-holiday-swim-as-thousands-line-up-along-ganges-river\/\" title=\"India Tries Canceling Holiday Swim as Thousands Line Up Along Ganges River\">sprinkle holy water<\/a>, a blessing believed to bring health and protection. Participants describe the rituals as both a cultural tradition and a form of care rooted in local history after a centuries-old <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/epa-chief-norfolk-southern-will-absolutely-be-held-accountable-for-ohio-chemical-spill\/\" title=\"EPA Chief: Norfolk Southern Will &quot;Absolutely&quot; Be Held Accountable for Ohio Chemical Spill\">animal illness<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Horses leap through flames and pets go to church in Spanish animal rituals honoring St Anthony<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2475633\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>SAN BARTOLOME DE PINARES, Spain (AP) &mdash;<\/strong> Hundreds of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/spain\">Spaniards<\/a> watched horses gallop through towering flames, hours before pet owners in Madrid on Saturday took their dogs and cats to church to be blessed with holy water.<\/p>\n<p>The contrasting Spanish traditions take place every January to honor St. Anthony the Abbott, the patron saint of domestic animals. And despite criticism from animal rights groups, the horse-and<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >-fire spectacle draws loyal crowds<\/a> ever year.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4422656\/iran-state-tv-issues-trump-assassination-threat\/\">Iran state TV issues Trump assassination threat featuring Butler shooting footage: &#8216;This time it won&#8217;t miss&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4422145\/maria-corina-machado-prioritizes-democracy-prisoner-release-over-presidential-ambitions\/\">Machado prioritizes democracy and prisoner release over presidential ambitions: &#8216;This is not about me&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4421920\/canada-drops-us-aligned-tariffs-china-electric-vehicles-landmark-trade-deal\/\">Canada drops US-aligned tariffs on Chinese EVs in &#8216;landmark&#8217; trade deal<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/opinion\/4421495\/pennsylvania-dairy-farmers-celebrate-whole-milk-act\/\">SALENA ZITO: PENNSYLVANIA DAIRY FARMERS CELEBRATE THE WHOLE MILK ACT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Las Luminarias is a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/spain-3021660181\">centuries-old tradition<\/a>&nbsp;that takes place in the Spanish village of San Bartolom&eacute; de Pinares &mdash; population 500 &mdash; about 100 kilometers (60 miles) outside Madrid.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/apimagesblog.com\/blog\/2018\/1\/19\/horses-leap-through-fire-in-old-spanish-festival\">Riders guide horses through bonfires<\/a>&nbsp;in the middle of the street in an act believed to purify the animals in the coming year.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In the old days, it was held because it was believed that the branches and the smoke blessed the horses and donkeys, which were used for farming, as a form of healing to prevent them from getting sick and to ensure they continued working in the fields,&rdquo; said attendee Antonio Patricio, 62.<\/p>\n<p>Festivities started around nightfall Friday as giant stacks of tree branches are placed on the side of the street, while locals mull about sharing wine, beer and sweets. Hours later, the stacks are lit and become the menacing fires that the animals must jump through &mdash; or around.<a><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Animal rights groups have long criticized Las Luminarias, but locals say the horses are rarely, if ever, injured.<\/p>\n<p>The next morning, on St. Anthony&rsquo;s Day, pet owners in some churches across Spain take their furry companions to to be spritzed with holy water. That ritual blessing is also believed to bring the animals health and protection for the year.<\/p>\n<p>Pet owners waited patiently Saturday outside the entrance of St. Anthony&rsquo;s church in central Madrid, where Catholic priests blessed the passing animals. Many of the dogs were wrapped in winter vests, while the cats looked a little more bewildered.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m happy to be able to do it,&rdquo; Madrid resident Rosa G&oacute;mez said, holding up her pointy-eared dog Kia. &rdquo;She is a little dog that was given to us six years ago by a family that couldn&rsquo;t take care of her, so we adopted her, and since then she has kept us great company.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Hours before the start of Las Luminarias, riders wrap their horses&rsquo; tails in fire-resistant tape and braid their manes. Some apply a glaze on the animals&rsquo; mane to prevent them from burning as they leap through the flames. Others beautify them, tightly braiding their manes, tying pink and red ribbons to their tails wrapped in tape, and adorning them with decorative headpieces.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4422769\/tim-walz-jacob-frey-under-criminal-investigation-doj\/\">TIM WALZ AND JACOB FREY UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BY DOJ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Livestock and farming were common livelihoods in San Bartolom&eacute; and scores of other central Spanish villages and towns that now stand empty for much of the year. Locals say Las Luminarias started after a mysterious illness swept through the village&rsquo;s animals centuries ago, after which people started to believe that smoke could purify and heal the horses.<\/p>\n<p>Going to Las Luminarias means returning home in the early hours the next day with clothes and hair that reek of smoke. In Spain&rsquo;s emptying countryside, locals welcome that the tradition brings family, friends and onlookers to the village for one night each year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Horses jump fires; pets receive church blessings<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":136,"featured_media":2540801,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26016826384767.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[71272,71273,11648,71271],"class_list":["post-2540800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-animal-rituals","tag-blessing-of-animals","tag-spain","tag-st-anthony"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26016826384767.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2540800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/136"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2540800"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2540800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2540804,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2540800\/revisions\/2540804"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2540801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2540800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2540800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2540800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}