PALACE CRITICISED AFTER DRUGGING THEIR HORSES

BUCKINGHAM Palace was criticised by animal welfare campaigners yesterday
after it emerged that horses from the royal stables were sedated before
ceremonies.

The drugs, administered in feed, are used to ensure that young animals
appearing at major public events remain calm and obedient.

Buckingham Palace justified the practice by saying that the horses, used to
draw carriages carrying members of the Royal Family including the Queen,
were only given the sedatives if they were skittish.

But World Society for the Protection of Animals spokesman Jonathan Owen
said: ''I am astounded. You shouldn't use these horses if you can't train
them properly.

''Horses can be trained humanely. Saying the animals are young and frisky
is no excuse."

RSPCA spokeswoman Ros Varnes added that the prolonged use of even mild
sedatives could have unpredictable results. '

'We would have some concerns because of the unpredictability of the drug,''
she said.

A Palace spokesman played down the issue, insisting that the sedatives were
similar to what vets would occasionally prescribe for horses in transit or
household pets scared by a thunderstorm.

He said: ''It is only on very, very rare occasions. ''It is only done when
the horse is inexperienced and a bit bouncy and skittish. It is not normal
practice.''