AN AGE LIMIT FOR HORSES [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.] Sin,—Your correspondent who appeals for an age limit for the sale of working horses brings up again the question of our treatment of worn animals—one, unhappily, always with us. If the misery of these poor beasts was more public, probably some more stringent restrictions would be made and enforced. But all who work for animals know how painfully slow reforms are, because they must march with the education of public opinion.
It is not often a concrete ill can be combated for animals, so probably those of your readers who are interested may be glad to learn that money has been, and is being, collected to buy up the miserable worn-out Army horses in and about Cairo, which have been working there ever since they were sold after the War. Mrs. Geoffrey Brooke, as secretary for the Fund for Old Army Horses, has worked gallantly for them. It is not simply the merciful death of these poor wrecks that has to be carried out, but the only slightly less miserable owners have to be compensated. It was at first thought that 23,000 would cover the cost, but that was found to be in- adequate, as many more poor specimens were discovered. The R.S.P.C.A. has generously given 2500, and it has been possible with the money collected to buy two hundred. It is hoped when the work is reopened in October that many more Will be rescued. A Branch of the Fund has been opened at Lloyds Bank, Fleet, Hants., where Mrs. Brooke will gladly receive contributions.—! am, Sir, &c.,
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