Harmful horse races

The residents of Valley Road, Msida are rightly annoyed with the horse owners who leave a mess after organising races along their road.

The SPCA points out, however, that besides the inconvenience to residents such horse races are extremely stressful to the animals themselves. As one can imagine, the high temperatures we have been having this summer affect animals as well as humans and the weather conditions are therefore anything but suitable for such strenuous activities.

Moreover, the unyielding and slippery surface of a tarmac road is extremely harmful to the animals' hooves and lower limbs. Galloping or trotting hard on this surface causes suffering and may even result in permanent injury to the horse.

The SPCA looks forward to the day when all such races - traditional or otherwise - are banned.

We should cherish and retain only those traditions which make us proud and which do not cause unnecessary distress to animals.