ONCE again I open the paper and read what ridiculous and comical lengths the hunting lobby stoop to in order to get across their point ("Hunts' Defiance", February 11).

Okay, so we get the idea they still intend to go hunting - or is that "exercising" their hounds, and if the hounds get the scent of a fox what can they do to stop it being chased?

One presumes these are the same hounds that only six months ago appeared on posters stating that they were all going to be destroyed and it was claimed all are fully under control while out in the hunting field.

Why don't the hunts come clean - the main reason they hunt is to ride across land which otherwise would not be available to them. The fox is their excuse to do so.

I have owned and ridden horses for the past 28 years. I have worked for a master of the hunt, so feel I am well qualified in my opinions.

I have been drag hunting which was great fun, but my morals and concern for my horse's welfare mean I would never go fox hunting.

Hunting is a barbaric and unnecessary pastime. The number of foxes killed on our roads and motorways eliminates the need for hunting today. The time has come for fox hunting to be banished to the history books along with cock fighting, slavery and child labour.

And as for the hunters, you can still have a jolly good day out on a drag hunt and I and many more like-minded people look forward to joining you.

Melanie Lackenby-Allerton,

Willowbeck Lodge,

Settrington,

Malton.

Updated: 11:06 Friday, February 18, 2005