Indonesian cow racing is spectacular

If you think of cows more as grass-munching machines than speed machines, then this might change your view.

Cow racing, or "pacu jawi", is a thrilling Indonesian festival which sees competitors dragged through muddy paddy fields as their cling to the tails of two charging cows.

The tradition, which has been around for hundreds of years, celebrates the end of the rice harvest season.

The raucous event also allows sellers to show off their best bulls to buyers.

This race was filmed in Sawahlunto in West Sumatra today (August 26).






The are outfitted with a rudimentary wooden contraption and the jockeys can often find themselves stretched to the extreme as the beasts pull apart in opposite directions.

With their hands busy holding on tight, jockeys encourage their steeds to go faster by biting their tails.