Bullfighting is a physical contest that involves a bullfighter and animals attempting to subdue, immobilize, or kill a bull, usually according to a set of rules, guidelines, or cultural expectations.

There are several variations, including some forms which involve dancing around or leaping over a cow or bull or attempting to grasp an object tied to the animal's horns.

The most well-known form of bullfighting is Spanish-style bullfighting, practiced in Spain, Portugal, Southern France, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Peru. The Spanish Fighting Bull is bred for its aggression and physique, and is raised free-range with little human contact.

The practice of bullfighting is controversial because of a range of concerns including animal welfare, funding, and religion.

Bullfighting is illegal in most countries, but remains legal in most areas of Spain and Portugal, as well as in some Hispanic American countries and some parts of southern France.

Spanish-style bullfighting is normally fatal for the bull, but it is also dangerous for the matador. The danger for the bullfighter is essential; if there is no danger, it is not considered bullfighting in Spain.

Some matadors, notably Juan Belmonte, have been seriously gored many times: according to Ernest Hemingway, Belmonte's legs were marred by many ugly scars. A special type of surgeon has developed, in Spain and elsewhere, to treat cornadas, or horn-wounds

A bull gores Spanish matador Francisco Rivera Ordóñez during the San Lorenzo fair in the northern Spanish town of Huesca

The horn missed Mr Rivera Ordóñez’s vital organs

The matador's condition was 'serious but stable' on Wednesday after being gored in the groin

Spanish matador Pablo Belando is tossed by a bull during a bullfight at the Ventas bullring in Madrid

Spanish matador Pablo Belando is tossed by a bull during a bullfight at the Ventas bullring in Madrid

Spanish matador Pablo Belando is aided after being tossed by a bull during a bullfight at the Ventas bullring in Madrid

Bullfighter dies at Feria del Angel

Bullfighter dies at Feria del Angel

Peruvian bullfighter Andres Roca Rey is tossed by a bull during a bullfight at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona

Bull spears matador Juan Jose Padilla in the backside

Israel Lancho got pierced by the bull’s horn in 2009

A young man being gored by a bull during the Yawar Fiesta, a ritual fight between the condor and the bull, held in the mountains of ApurÌmac

Spanish matador Jimenez Fortes is gored by a bull during a bullfight of the San Isidro Feria

Peruvian matador Andres Roca Rey is touched by a bull during a bullfight at the Maestranza bullring, in Sevilla

Spanish matador Ivan Fandino is gored by a bull during the Resurrection Sunday bullfight

Mexican matador Arturo Saldivar is trampled by a Torrestrella bull during a bullfight

Spanish Bullfighter Julio Aparicio is gored by a bull during a bulfight of the San Isidro Feria

Spanish bullfighter Julio Aparicio is badly injured by a bull and is bleeding from his throat at San Isidro Fair

Matador El Cid is tossed into the air by the bull during the San Isidro Fair Bullfight

Colombias matador Luis Bolivar is gored during a bullfight at the bullring of Malaga southern Spain