CONTROVERSIAL SUBJECT.

​Let me make something clear from the outset – I am totally opposed to the killing and abuse of animals in the name of sport and recreation. Indeed, the waste of animal life in a time when there is great strain upon nature shows Mankind in the poorest of lights. The number of dead hedgehogs on the roads this spring is truly appalling and I cannot believe there is not a simple way of reducing the carnage. If the country can afford to build ever more by-passes and new roads for the convenience of its people surely it cannot be beyond the intelligence of scientists and engineers to build into the enterprise some form of safety feature for wildlife whose historic passage across the countryside is made hazardous through our neglect of their need to survive.
So why, as an animal-lover, am I still in favour of the pursuit known as fox-hunting?
When I was younger I was opposed to fox-hunting, and remain opposed if the killing of foxes remains the sole aim of those who ride to hounds. I believe hunts should be used by government as the eyes and ears of the countryside, reporting on the state of habitat required to sustain a healthy population of foxes and associated wildlife. But hunts should not have carte-blanche to indiscriminately kill foxes as suits their need for entertainment.
My support for the pursuit of fox-hunting is based on two aspects often ignored by either side of the debate. We have a tradition of horsemanship in this country which we will be diminished if people are banned from meeting-up to ride to hounds. The great riders of every era have learned and honed their skills in the ‘hunting arena’. There is simply no substitute for riding across the countryside in the company of like-minded people for learning how to ride to a high skill level. Jockeys, three-day event riders, show jumpers, even dressage riders gain experience as young people riding to hounds that is invaluable to them later in life in the competitive arena. If hunts cannot understand the responsibility they have to help produce the equine sportsman of the future they have no right to exist. If they believe their existence is only justified if they are killing foxes then someone needs to explain to them that we now live in a different world to 1868 or even 1968. Hunts need to adapt and not just pay lip-service to the present laws on hunting, however poor that law maybe. The pursuit of hunting should exist for the entertainment of those who ride to hounds, the people whose employment is linked directly to the pursuit of hunting, and for the health and survival of the horses and hounds that are essential to the pursuit of hunting. If hunts need to become drag-hunts to gain public approval then let it be so. There is so much more to this issue than the killing of foxes and the protection of farm-stock.
Greater, though, than the need for hunts to help raise the next generation of horseman, is the life the pursuit of hunting gives to retired competition horses, especially the racehorse. If a Labour Government were to be as irresponsible as to ban hunting outright – the Conservatives, also, should not be thinking of repealing the present law but strengthening it – a huge number of horses would cease to have a purpose. There is an animal rights issue in the banning of hunting that is constantly ignored. Horse and Hound should have similar rights to survival as the fox.
It is not only the retired horse that is advantaged by the pursuit of hunting. As any rider will tell you, the hunting field is essential for the education of young horses. No discipline of equestrianism is better suited to the development of the horse as the hunting field. I have known young horses that at home are nothing short of delinquents become as focused as school swats when confronted by a hundred other horses and the widespread countryside. A young horse, if well-ridden, will learn (hopefully) to stand, to move off in as poised a fashion as can be expected, to canter with other horses and to jump whatever sort of fence that is encountered. It learns how to control its excitement.
If the pursuit of hunting should ever be banned it will signal the end of riding across country except where bridle-paths remain open. Many jobs would also be lost, with farriers, veterinary practices and livery stables badly affected. But it is the overall welfare of the horse that affects my position on this controversial issue. The retired racehorse in particular is best suited to a life as a hunter. Recently the Racing Post featured a week of horse welfare articles focusing on the work being done by various rehoming and rehabilitation organisations to retrain racehorses for an active life outside of the racecourse and though it is wonderful to learn of an ex-racehorse living a contented life as an eventer, show-jumper or dressage horse, the natural home, at least for the majority, is in the hunting field.
Hunting people must accept a more publicly acceptable approach to the pursuit of hunting as their recreation is absolutely essential in continuing the ancient tradition of producing great horseman who bring honour and medals to our country, the education of young horses who go on to race, event and show-jump and gives ex-racehorses in particular the expectation of a long and active life.