Vintage Diving Alligators

In regards to the "diving horses" what do you suppose these gator's were anticipating most. The chicken waiting in the water below, or the pick ax handle in the ass above? But I am sure, they "really actually enjoyed" it. A slide has always been one of my "least" favorite tricks/behaviors in a dog or goat act. A travesty in a bear act. Alligators are supposedly morons and they were enticed to do it in the early 1900's. Surly with newly developed animal training skill's, trainers could come up with something else?