LETTERSFrom Terri Taverner, Ryde:
I WAS pleased to read in last week’s County Press the hunt, as a trail hunt, is still attracting a good turn out (CP, 01-01-10).
Everyone obviously enjoyed the event as a social occasion, with the horses and riders having a good day, without the "pleasure" of the kill.
I can no longer ride but I used to keep a horse and would have enjoyed the chance to trail hunt.
Unfortunately, the only hunt in my area was a fox-killing one.
Trail hunting still provides the joy of the ride, the course has been checked to make sure it is safe for horse and rider, options are provided round jumps so less-experienced horses and riders can enjoy the fun and there is no chance of trespassing.
Suggestions that banning fox hunting is a "blatant act of class war" really is a load of nonsense.
All those who have a horse can join in no matter what their social standing may be.
The only people who have stopped hunting because it is now trail hunting not fox hunting, are those who only went on the ride for the kill. This has nothing to do with class but more to do with attitude.
My one remaining concern is that hounds are still destroyed at around the age of five, when they are no longer able to hunt, instead of being re-homed.
From Don Smith, Newport:
Great sight: How nice to see pictures of the IW Hunt enjoying its Boxing Day outing.
The horses, hounds and riders were getting their exercise and were all out in the fresh air.
No animals are being killed in the name of sport; so why do Tory leader Cllr David Cameron and our MP Andrew Turner want to change the law? Just to gain a few votes perhaps.
But it will backfire; the majority of people do not want the fox ripped to pieces by a pack of hounds.
Hunt protesters know fox hunting is illegal, so what’s all the fuss about? If foxes become a pest, shoot them.
The young girl in the article (CP, 01-01-10) hit the nail on the head, when she said she likes the spectacle, but not the killing. Many would agree with her.