To reply to the letter regarding the pony with protesters at Zippos Circus, it is obvious the writer has no equine knowledge.

This is clear from the statement that Oopah the pony was in a pitiful state and needed water within the hour during the evening of August 15 - not a hot day as stated.

Nor is it at all necessary for a pony to be shod to stand on pavements.

The dictionary description of pitiful is wretched and miserable, which could more easily describe the animals used in any circus.

The facts are that very young animals are put into training before their minds and bodies are developed.

While at this very vulnerable stage, they are manipulated to comply with commands.

This is coupled with their very limited lifestyle which includes travelling in heavily covered lorries day and night between performances and being caged for perhaps three quarters of their lifetime.

Is "name withheld" so naive as to accept the shop window front that the circus folk would have us believe? Of course the animals the public sees are immaculate and the pathetic legislation that covers animals in cages is adhered to but, fortunately many of the welfare-minded young folk of today believe in looking beneath the glitter and question what happens to the animals whose minds and bodies cannot cope with the strict regime of the performing world.

Do the magnificent creatures with the potential to jump through fire and perform on their hind legs live out happy, useful lives or are they relegated to the scrap heap behind the scenes?

Has the Chipperfield cruelties expose been forgotten already? Sussex Horse Rescue Trust took Oopah to the Circus because he was purpose-bred to perform. Sadly, Oopah has an allergy called sweetitch, which ultimately damages the appearance of the coat, so he is of no value to anyone as a display horse.

But for the intervention of an investigating party, Oopah's fate was to be transported to the Continent and strapped to a mechanical roundabout for the pleasure of holidaymakers' children to ride.

We would be pleased if "name withheld" would visit our Sanctuary and see our rescued animals, read their case histories - including those of Oopah and our previous Santa's Circus pony Clara who, at six years, was deformed and lame and of no further use to perform.

Open your eyes to the real world "name withheld".

-Pauline Grant, Sussex Horse Rescue Trust, Uckfield