Oh and another thing.

As from February 2004 every horse, pony and donkey in the UK is supposed to have a passport, containing all its details, bit like a car log book, but including all its vaccinations, vet treatment, previous owners etc complete with description of the horse. They cost around £20 - £40 just for the paperwork and then have to be signed by a Vet which can cost, including call-out, anything up to £50.00. In some counties the Police actively stop and check passports or horses being ridden on the roads. Its some EU crap. Anyway you're not supposed to sell horses without them. There's something like a £2,000.00 fine for not having one. So, Ok how many of those horses changing hands at Appleby had their passports checked by the Police, RSPCA, before they were sold? Like I said, they get away with it because the authorities are scared. Drag them into line with everyone else, or close it why should they be treated any differently from the rest of the horsie community.

Like I said tradition/culture - my arse.