Diving horse

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A diving horse
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A diving horse

A diving horse is an attraction that was popular in the mid 1880's, [1] in which a horse would dive into a pool of water, sometimes from as high as 60 feet up.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

William "Doc" Carver has "invented" the idea of horse diving exhibitions. Allegedly, in 1881 Carver was crossing a bridge over Platte River (Nebraska) which partially collapsed. His horse fell/dove into the waters below, inspiring Carver to develop the diving horse act.[3] Carver trained various animals and went on tour. His son, Al Carver constructed the ramp and tower and his daughter Lorena Carver was the first rider. Sonora Webster Carver joined the show in 1924. The show became a permanent fixture at Atlantic City's very popular show, Steel Pier. There, Al Carver's daughters and daughter-in-law continued the show following his death.

[edit] Accidents

On February 7th 1907, a dive went wrong in a show in San Antonio, and the 4 story fall killed the 18 year old rider, but spared the horse. Newspapers published pictures of the dive in mid-air.[4]

In 1931, Sonora Webster Carver and her horse "Red Lips" lost their balance on the platform. Sonora survived the fall, but was blinded (caused by detached retinas in both eyes).[5] She continued horse-diving while blind. In 1991, Disney released a film based on Webster's life entitled Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken.

[edit] Animal rights

The shows received very strong criticisms of animal rights absues, which contributed to the decline of its popularity after WW2.[6] The horses sometimes dived four times a day, seven days a week, and were slaughtered once their career was over.[7] There are allegations of using prods, electrical jolts, and trap doors to get unwilling horses to dive.[8]

[edit] Pictures

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.texasescapes.com/MikeCoxTexasTales/192-Jumper-and-Diving-Horse.htm
  2. ^ http://www.steel-pier.com/dedicated_to_the_diving_horses.htm
  3. ^ http://www.acfpl.org/component/option,com_simplefaq/task,answer/Itemid,178/catid,144/aid,10/
  4. ^ http://www.texasescapes.com/MikeCoxTexasTales/192-Jumper-and-Diving-Horse.htm
  5. ^ http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE5D7113FF937A15756C0A967958260
  6. ^ http://www.texasescapes.com/MikeCoxTexasTales/192-Jumper-and-Diving-Horse.htm
  7. ^ http://www.steel-pier.com/dedicated_to_the_diving_horses.htm
  8. ^ http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/NYLAKrex.html

[edit] External links

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