I write with regard to the anonymous letter relating to recent demonstrations at Zippos Circus against the use of animals in circuses (Letters, Aug 24).

Firstly the writer's venom-filled stereotyping of people demonstrating outside Zippos, describing them as "dishevelled" merely exposes the writer in question as being shallow and only able to judge people by appearance rather than substance.

The personal attacks resorted to by this writer do nothing to enhance the defence of the use of animals forced to perform for public entertainment.

As a horse lover and previously having owned horses myself, the comments about it being unshod and standing on tarmac were totally inaccurate.

Horses that work and use hard ground regularly need to be shod. However, horses allowed the natural existence of being able to graze in fields in their retirement do not need to be shod, as was the case here. The horse was there for a short time only, made only one appearance and was not ridden.

Perhaps the writer should be advised to avoid personal attacks on the people demonstrating and the rescued circus horse and look deeper into the facts behind the use of animals in circuses which is unethical, unnecessary and cruel.

-H Whittaker (Ms), Woodlands Close, Peacehaven