17 JULY 1964, Page 14

BULL-FIGHTS SIR,—Now that many thousands of British holiday- makers will

be going abroad, could we appeal to them through your paper, if they go to Spain, to enjoy that beautiful country without going to bull- fights?

The Spanish corrida involves extreme and pro- longed cruelty to worn-out, decrepit horses. This is actually far worse since the use of protective padding, because the horses last longer; they can be used again and again to meet the bulls' charges, till they are too battered and bruised, or too badly injured internally, to carry a rider.

Every Britisher buying a ticket for a corrida is actively condoning this cruelty, said to be nowadays entirely dependent on foreign tourists. For those who would like to see a bull-sport without cruelty, there is the very fine traditional course d la cocarde in Provence in Southern France. In this, no horses are used and the bulls are not injured; young men athletes compete, with daring and agility, to snatch the cocarde or ribbon from the bulls' horns.

Yew Tree Farm, Duntisbourne Abbots, Nr. Cirencester. Glos.

B. RITCHIE