To the editor:

I read the letter about the Clydesdale horses’ visit. I had such a different impression! Yes, the horses did wait in their stalls for a while, but the trailer doors were open for air and breezes, their stalls were clean with fresh straw on the floor.

Young school groups often must wait to perform. Their waiting rooms might not be comfortable, but most don’t complain. They are there to perform and do so happily.

Yes, the horses did toss their heads – horses just always do that – but I missed the “grimacing and foaming at the mouth.” I did watch the handlers carefully wipe each horse’s face with a wet cloth before harnessing. Their harness is of course heavy – they are big, 2,000 pounds big – but I saw no sore spots on any horse!

I’m sure that when the horses aren’t on the road they are at home in their pasture, eating green grass except on miserable winter days when they are in warm barns with plenty of nutritious food.

As the handlers brushed them, their glowing appearance spoke of superior care. The handler holding the lead rope just let the rope lay across his hand, indicating rapport between handler and horse.

When they started off, I saw pride and satisfaction in their step and their proud stance.

Thanks to Budweiser for these truly magnificent horses.

Phyllis Chesbro,

Ottawa