I WRITE in connection with Susan Cooper's letter in last week's issue of The Citizen relating to What Happens to Retired Ponies?

I would like to point out that one of my closest friends has worked the landaus for many years and, through her, I have met other landau owners and would like to express their deep consideration for their horses when either retiring or throughout their working life. There are strict guidelines with regard to their working hours and all landau owners can only work their horses for short periods of time before they do 'change' horse'. These guidelines are adhered to as, for one, there are Inspectors all along the Promenade at all times of the day, and secondly because they actually care for their horses and, seeing it is their livelihood, this makes sense to have a horse that can work for you day in, day out. And in the Winter, they are all put to grass until the following season, this incurring some considerable cost as they are usually transported way beyond the Lancashire/Fylde Coast area.

When they retire, they are sent to 'homes' for retired horses, where they are, like in Winter times put to grass and this is paid for by the owners, or are sold to persons using them for recreation.

My friend cares for her horses with utmost attention, and even when the foot & mouth crisis was being experiences, she kept her horses in a safe area out of Lancashire, where she visited them regularly. She has such dedication and commitment to all her horses and treats them with the respect they deserve.

I am quite galled that the landau owners have come in for such criticism over the years, without anyone actually having spent any time with any one of them. They deserve to earn a living and, with such livelihood, it only makes sense to look after your 'assets' as would a taxi driver with his taxi. I have talked in length with my friend and she would be willing to spend a whole day with anyone who feels mis-use of the horses on the Promenade and this offer stands to Susan Cooper et al.

Please feel free to contact me if anyone would like to spend a day with my landau owning friend and may be their views won't be so blinkered!

Miss D Rodini

Norbreck Road

Thornton Cleveleys