27/12/2025
Just wanted to keep this well written article amidst the furore of the Anti hunting debate. Someone speaking some sense.
Wise words written by Caro D. Once an anti, she decided to visit kennels and form her own opinion.
“Shame more will not do the same……..
I've thought long and hard about posting this. Some people will be surprised, some will be disappointed and others angry. I expect I'll have less Facebook friends as a result. But the last 48 hours have made me reflect on my stance.
When I was around 14 years old I read a book published by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS). I have no idea why. I didn't come from a hunting family, not even a farming family, although my grandparents had farmed a small poultry farm until their retirement before I was born. Maybe I was just being a bit awkward or rebelling against the family values. I was often told I was awkward. Well I thought that book was an enlightenment and that was that, I was an anti. I read the books, wore the T-shirt and debated my case. My grandmother was not impressed. 'Wait til you see your lambs killed for fun, then you won't be so keen on them'. But I was not to be persuaded.
That was my opinion, and I was entitled to it.
The years rolled on and the cause seemed to be making headway. A ban was on the cards. By now I was in my 30s and maybe a bit less awkward. Maybe not. Something didn't sit quite right about this ban. Where would it end? If hunting could be banned, so could fishing or shooting. Maybe show-jumping or even just having horses for leisure would fall foul of this quest for 'animal equality'. Maybe I should know a bit more before I formed my opinions? After all, my opinions were largely based on a one sided story.
As chance would have it, the local primary school was having an 'Auction of Promises' and one of the lots was a tour of the local hunt kennels. What harm could it do to have a little bid, raise some £££ for the school and maybe get some first hand experience of my nemesis? So I did. I won and spent a very formative afternoon learning more about hunting.
Seeing hunt kennels first hand was to be a life changing moment. I was struck by the dedication and commitment of the hunt staff. The energy and effort that went not only into caring for the horses and hounds, but the tenacity and hours spent learning dozens (counted in couples) of hounds names and training them to voice and hunting horn. Everything was immaculate; the stables, the kennels. The tack and boots shone and the yard was perpetually swept. This wasn't what I'd come to see. Where were the blood thirsty murderers I'd read about? These people were grafters; decent, hard working, human beings.
After the ban, I followed the hunt's progress. I spent time at kennels and learnt more about this way of life, making friends and becoming part of a community.
For a time, my life took a change of direction. Local hunts joined forces with other hunts further away from home. I moved away.
But more recently I have become reconnected with this community. The current turmoil it faces has played on mind.
So what is the point of this rambling. I suppose it's a way of trying to make sense of my feelings of sadness and confusion.
Do I think fox hunting should be allowed? No, I don't think I do. But do I think that trail hunting has provided a satisfactory alternative? Yes, I do. The horses, hounds and staff have adapted and survived despite the challenges they have faced. Do I think hunts have always got it 'right'? No I don't think they have. But I know they have faced almighty challenges in trying to hunt within the law, largely by the constant abuse, assault, goading and interference of the sabs. I know people who have received death threats against them, and their primary school aged children. Animals that have been interfered with and libellous material posted on social media. Children illegally photographed and posted publicly. Have I ever seen a fox caught and killed by a hound? No, I haven't. However, Hunt staff will always be portrayed as the enemy; the other side of this story is not always as it appears.
What I do know is that hunting provides a sense of community which is valued in rural areas which can be isolated and lonely. Hunts provide employment and contribute to the financial fabric of rural England. At the heart of all of this are the hounds and horses and the tens of thousands of hours that go into their care, training and wellbeing. Their future hangs in the balance.
I certainly don't have all of the answers. But what I do know is that much of what you will see in the sensationalised headlines does not truly represent hunting in England in 2025.
All I would ask, is that if you truly care about animal welfare, that you take some time to visit your local hunt. Join them on Boxing Day or ask to spend some time at kennels. Learn about how a legal hunt is run and then take some time to form your own opinions. Whatever they may be.”
