Letters: What about the suffering horse?

I IMAGINE most people were horrified by the incident in which a horse was driven into a cattle grid before or during the recent Tracy Cooper Drive event (A&T 16th Aug). There is possibly nowhere in Britain with a higher density of horse owners and lovers than the New Forest so this is an area where one would expect any event to meet the highest standards of animal care and welfare, but sadly it is not the case.

What horrified but did not surprise me was the defensive smokescreen put up by Ms Cooper herself, which barely acknowledged the poor animal’s suffering over a prolonged period but instead plunged into a predictable attack-as-defence tactic, dismissing critics as mere “trolls” and excusing the trap driver with a story that firstly he failed to see the grid in broad daylight, then that he had no money to call for a vet and finally that he was actually the “victim” because he had lost his horse.

The stories of apparent “sabotage” at Balmer Lawn with the strewing of nails, broken glass and more make no sense, save as an instance of defensive ”whataboutery.” How can throwing diesel over a few trees stop a ride across the Forest? We have seen flytipping of hazardous waste around the Forest many times. Let’s not be deflected into assuming (as Ms Cooper would have us believe) that this was done by some outsider with a grudge against her event and its participants – that makes no sense. However there will be CCTV of the area at the time of this incident. Donna Jones [Hampshire police and crime commissioner] should have the will to ensure the police examine all evidence carefully.

I know Donna Jones has stated she will ensure the police investigate this , but they are unlikely to find anything of substance and certainly no witness corroboration from participants – how can they? So the focus should be on avoiding any repeat next year. This event should not be permitted to continue in its current form. It has had its chance now. If Ms Cooper acknowledged the problems there could be progress and perhaps even a chance to continue with more safeguards but her constant denial of any culpability shows that there is little or no prospect of any improvement.

We need a concerted effort by the police, the NPA, the RSPCA and perhaps the local councils working together. Will these organisations ignore the predictable accusations of victimisation and worse from Ms Cooper and put a stop to this cruel event next year?

Andrew King

Warsash

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YOUR reporting on the travellers’ horse and cart event (A&T 16th Aug) that I have seen is focused on animal welfare.

The police are rightly investigating.

However, as my husband and I were driving towards Lyndhurst by car, we passed many carts coming in the opposite direction travelling at speed, some racing each other and some containing small children perched on adults’ knees, apparently unsecured. It was frightening to see, as the vulnerability of adults, but particularly the children, was clear.

I am sure you could find many witnesses of this highly dangerous practice as traffic was busy going both ways. Perhaps the police are already investigating this aspect of the event. I hope so.

Caroline Kelsall

Brockenhurst