Lack of horses does not deter the hunt

THE EAST Kent Hunt's Boxing Day meet is such a long-established tradition nothing could stop it, it seems – not even a lack of horses.

The snow and ice had made the roads too dangerous for riding but, undeterred, masters, members and hounds met in Elham as usual on Monday, December 27.

Sounding the horn: Huntsman Mark Westway GIAJ20101227A-009_C
Support: A large number of people turned out to watch the parade GIAJ20101227A-0011_C
Pageant: The hunt turned out as usual but with one element missing GIAJ20101227A-001_C
Elham Valley Hunt, Annual Boxing Day Hunt, Elham. Run without horses due to the ice/snow. The meeting the locals in the square. Picture: Andy Jones
Elham Valley Hunt, Annual Boxing Day Hunt, Elham. Run without horses due to the ice/snow. The pack arrives in the village high street. Picture: Andy Jones

Joint master Mally Spens said: "This is the first time in my memory we've had to do this.

"I believe there was a time in the early 1780s that the horses came out but were only ridden through the village and back because of the weather but we couldn't take them out at all this year."

Despite the cold, a huge number of spectators turned up to watch the "riders", in full hunting dress, and hounds parade through the village.

Miss Spens said: "We just walked down from the kennels to the village and back, we couldn't do any more.

"It was Boxing Day and part of the pageant and, as long as the humans could get there, we wanted to make the effort and uphold our end.

"The hounds were bewildered as they thought they were out for a party but they're amenable animals."

The hunt hoped to resume last week, although the freezing conditions have stopped many horses from being worked at all, so members were doubtful any would be fit enough to take part.

For more information about the EKH, visit www.eastkenthunt.co.uk