SAGINAW, Mich. (AP) — Two men who helped carve the horses on a carousel at a Michigan zoo are unhappy with a decision to remove a horse festooned with a Confederate flag.

Gerald Willis, who headed construction of the hand-carved horses, says it’s a “historical item” that should be left alone. Robert Phillips, who carved the horse, says removing it “stinks.”

The 83-year-old Phillips tells The Saginaw News that he’s “tired of people cutting me down.” He says he’d display the horse in his home.

The horse was taken off the carousel at the Saginaw Children’s Zoo on Friday. It’s one of two with a Civil War theme.

Zoo director Nancy Parker says the horse will be in storage until a decision about its future is made.