This horse pretends to be dead every time someone tries to
The image depicts a horse lying flat on the ground with its legs extended and its head turned to one side, looking directly at the camera. It's an unusual pose for a horse, as they are typically seen standing or grazing, and the position suggests an exaggeration of being lifeless. The horse has a bridle on, indicating it is used to being ridden or directed by a person. The expression on the horse's face seems calm and almost mischievous, contrasting with the dramatic nature of its posture.
Accompanying this humorous visual, there's a caption at the top in bold lettering that reads: "This horse pretends to be dead every time someone tries to ride it!" The suggestion is that the horse has learned and repeatedly performs this act as a way to avoid being ridden, displaying a level of cunning and humor typically not associated with animals. This anthropomorphizing of the horse as a creature actively trying to avoid work is likely to amuse viewers who might not expect such clever behavior from an animal.
Below the image is a response from a Twitter user with the handle “Banterman” who adds another layer of humor with a comment: "I had a girlfriend like that." This person is drawing a parallel between the horse's behavior and a former romantic partner’s avoidance tactics, implying that the partner would also metaphorically 'play dead' to avoid certain situations. This comparison is unexpected and comical due to the absurdity of comparing a person to a horse employing such a dramatic escape mechanism.
The humor in this image draws on several comedic elements. Firstly, there's the surprise or incongruity aspect, as the horse is acting in a way opposite to what is expected, which is an effective form of comedy. The horse 'playing dead' is a novel and surprising behavior, juxtaposing the serious idea of death with a playful, harmless means of evasion.
Secondly, the human response in the image adds a relatable factor for viewers. Many people have experienced situations where someone has tried to humorously evade responsibilities or unwelcome tasks, and the comparison with the horse's antics provides a humorous connection between human and animal behavior, suggesting a universal desire to avoid certain situations.
Lastly, the image's humor is rooted in the notion of smart animal behavior, in this case, a horse employing a tactic commonly associated with playing a trick or joke on someone. This projection of human-like traits onto the horse creates an anthropomorphic and amusing impression that the horse is not just clever, but also has a sense of humor. The result is an entertaining depiction of animal behavior that resonates with people's love of clever and playful creatures. This horse pretends to be dead every time someone tries to ride it Banterman SarcasmBanter I had a girlfriend like that
