THE DAILY WIRE · SPAIN · 2026-09-17
St. Anthony's Feast Draws Fire-Jumping Horses, Blessed Pets
In villages across Spain this week, horses did the one thing horses are contractually against — running directly toward fire — while dogs, cats, and at least one duck lined up outside church for a blessing, all in honor of a monk who died roughly 1,800 years ago.
The annual rite, tied to the feast of St. Anthony, involves bonfire-leaping horses in some towns and pet processions to church in others, a tradition organizers say has continued for generations with no reported injuries this cycle.
This reporter has covered leopards escaping enclosures and raccoons breaking into sheriff's offices this season, so a horse voluntarily approaching flame under human supervision counts, procedurally speaking, as a good day.
Webster tracked down Pepita, a stray cat who works the church steps during blessing hours, for an eyewitness account of the pet line outside the sanctuary. Her account of the horses' performance differs sharply from the official record.
No structure fires, singed manes, or theological disputes were reported by press time. Spun and done.
“I've walked through worse than a bonfire just to get fed by the widow on Calle Mayor, so the horses can stop bragging. Also, the priest gave me extra holy water for sitting still — professionalism pays off, mijos.” — Pepita, parish stray cat
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