Sir.-I read with interest the recent letter regarding an irresponsible youngster on a horse.

As a horse rider, I know that the first and most important thing is to be in control of your own horse at anytime and in any circumstances.

I appreciate incidences do occur which the rider should deal with and overcome.

However, one problem is that you often get loose horses in fields running alongside you while you are riding on the road, which would cause the same problems as experienced by the writer of the letter.

Who would they blame then?

A problem I find is that rather than purchase an animal that matches one's ability, the purchase is often more of a fashion accessory to be paraded for all to see, which then can result in dangerous situations.

-Name and address withheld.