I have just read about a sickening trade that makes me ashamed of the human race.

It details the conditions in which 87,000 horses a year are sent by road from Poland to Italy where they are slaughtered for human consumption for horse meat.

Farm horses, ponies and even foals are bought in Polish markets and crowded into lorries, many of which are old and unfit even for local journeys.

It is the start of an horrendous journey that can last five days, cover over 2,000km and cross six countries.

During this ordeal, many of the horses have no rest, water or food and are driven directly to slaughterhouses.

Invariably overcrowded, stressed and terrified, they frequently fall and struggle desperately to regain their feet.

Once down, they can be trampled, urinated and defecated upon, wounded by being trampled and even killed.

Over 70 per cent of these journeys end in fatalities.

At staging points, fallen horses are either dragged off the truck with chains or subjected to violent treatment to induce them to stand.

By the time they reach Hungary, just half way through their journey to the Italian abattoirs, many are injured, dehydrated, collapsed or dead.

All this is shown in the video 'Journey to Death', made by British animal group Viva.

How can you help?

Most Polish people love horses and don't eat horse meat.

They are as outraged as me about this abuse of beautiful animals for profit.

But Poland is not a wealthy country and people do not have the resources necessary to organise opposition to it.

Fortunately, Viva has opened an office in Warsaw and is co-ordinating a campaign demanding an end to horse exports for meat.

By offering your support, I believe we can win this battle for horses.

To find out more, contact Viva at 12 Queen Square, Brighton BN1 3FD.

Sandy Pearson

Green Lane

Hanworth