Sir - All those who care about the protection of horses will hope the Bill that gives landowners more power to deal with fly-grazing will soon become law ("New fly-grazing law due for private land", WN, Jan 9th).

The Control of Horses Bill is backed by the RSPCA and other animal welfare groups, who are concerned that horse abandonment is at an all time high and the number of horses being fly-grazed has risen by two thirds in the last three years.

Another tragic thing that has happened to horses in recent years is that, during the past five seasons, 29 of them have died or been put to death at Worcester Racecourse, after suffering appalling injuries, such as broken legs and necks.

And last year the course proved to be one of the most dangerous for horses in the country, with six killed there.

Nationwide, hundreds of horses lose their lives on racecourses every year and many thousands are slaughtered annually in the UK and Ireland, after failing to make the grade as racers or when their racing days are over.

Members of the public can help put an end to this horrific situation by not attending or betting on horse racing, so this appalling death-industry fades away through lack of financial support.

Peter Talbot

Worcester