New Fair event sends the wrong message
To the editor:
I am writing in regard to the Northern Maine Fair announcement of having a new event called Mutton Riding. For those of you who don’t know what this is it’s kids riding older sheep. Being a former sheep breeder, I hope they will reconsider this decision.
Sheep are not made for riding (usually the weight limit for the child in the event is 60 pounds) so why would you want to put the animal through the stress of this? Kids usually wear helmets to protect them and hang on to the sheep’s wool. They are actually pulling the wool to hang on. This couldn’t feel good on the sheep not to mention the weight considering the sheep probably weighs around 160 lbs.
I have seen this Mutton Riding done out West and one of the sheep actually died from heatstroke. PETA has protested this event several times — why would the Northern Maine Fair want this negative publicity. I have e-mailed and called the fair about this event and they haven’t responded.
This event teaches the kids to mistreat the animals; is that what an agriculture fair wants? Please Northern Maine fair reconsider this event. Why not put the kids on cows; after all they are bigger. What’s next teaching kids Cow Tipping — why not have that as an event?
Tammy Closson
former 4-H member
Easton
