Horses leap through flames and pets go to church in Spanish St. Anthony rituals

Centuries-old Las Luminarias in San Bartolome de Pinares saw riders guide horses through bonfires on Friday, and the next day pet owners in Madrid brought dogs and cats to churches to be sprinkled with holy water in observance of St. Anthony.

Centuries-old traditions honoring St. Anthony took place across Spain this weekend. In San Bartolome de Pinares, riders guided horses through bonfires in the event known as Las Luminarias. Organizers and locals say the practice is intended to purify and protect working animals and traces back to a historic animal illness. The following morning in Madrid, pet owners brought dogs and cats to churches to receive blessings with holy water. Event details: - Las Luminarias is held in San Bartolome de Pinares, a village of about 500 people roughly 100 kilometers outside Madrid. - Riders prepare horses by wrapping tails in fire‑resistant tape, braiding manes, and sometimes applying a protective glaze before the bonfires are lit. - Locals say the ritual began centuries ago after a mysterious illness affected village animals and that smoke was believed to help purify them. - Animal rights groups have criticized the horse fire ritual, while residents say horse injuries are rare. - In Madrid, pet owners waited outside St. Anthony's church as priests sprinkled holy water on dogs and cats for blessings. Summary: The events reunited families and visitors with long-standing local rituals and brought attention to both rural and urban observances of St. Anthony. Public discussion about animal welfare continues alongside local accounts of tradition and preparation. Undetermined at this time.