My family and I visited Zippo's Circus on Hove Lawns.

On arrival, we were not surprised to see the usual posse of animal rights supporters protesting against the use of horses in circus - horses which, it seems to me, are extremely well looked after by top equestrian Tom Roberts and his team.

However, we were surprised to see that this rather dishevelled lot had bought with them an even more dishevelled pony, presumably as some kind of publicity stunt.

We are no experts in animal care but the condition of this pony was pitiful.

It was patently not well looked after, was unshod (and therefore should not have been standing on a tarred surface) and its hooves were split.

Furthermore, it stood outside on a very hot day with no water for more than an hour. Needless to say, we have reported the matter to our local animal welfare officer.

Perhaps these activists need a lesson in animal welfare and equestrian care from the excellent Mr Roberts.

-Name and address supplied