REGARDING the deaths of two horses in this year’s Grand National.

Sadly, dying is not cruel – it happens to every living creature.

So if it is death of horses in the race that bothers Alison Jermy (HAS, Apr 17) and your leader writer (Echo, Apr 17) let’s get some facts right.

The Grand National did not kill any horse this year or most other years. A vet did.

The horses were put down because with some injuries, like broken legs, it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to save a horse and often too expensive.

Synchronised was okay after his fall and went galloping off. He was injured while loose.

So two horses were put down.

Does Andrew Tyler (HAS, Apr 16) give us figures for the number of horses put down every year by people who ride for pleasure? Horses that have nothing wrong with them except maybe age or are becoming too expensive. That will be in the hundreds or thousands.

Does he go on about three day eventing? Horses get badly injured there and put down as well. Or does he mention the amount of horses killed on the roads by impatient drivers?

No, they are not high profile like the Grand National – the race gives Mr Tyler and his ilk some good coverage and more money for his charity.

I see he has a link where you can send money.

Harry Manuel, Hexham.

ALISON JERMY is obviously one of many people who are jumping on the RSPCA bandwagon.

Yes, it is not nice to see horses killed in the race but if we reduce the runners significantly then it just becomes a glorified handicap with the thrill of the race gone.

Also we don’t seem to hear about horses getting killed at Bangor on a Wednesday afternoon – just this globally viewed event.

The Grand National has always been a dangerous race with trainers themselves knowing that entering a horse comes with the added risk of injury or, in some cases, death.

How many jockeys have we seen complain after the race?

Surely these are the people who know best.

P Armstrong, Darlington.