There are many beautiful creatures with which we share this planet, but none so beautiful, or so majestic, I think, as the horse. Growing up in the largely rural country of Ireland, I count myself lucky to have been exposed, more than most, to these magnificent creatures. They've been with us, it seems, since the dawn of time, our constant companions throughout our long history. By our side in war, they've carried kings to victory. With us too in peace, they've eased our burdens, without complaint. They've won races and set records with us. Could mankind have a better comrade? More than any other, surely the horse has changed the course of human history.

They've paid a steep price for their familiarity with this animal called man. And like so many, they've fallen subject to the perversity of man's appetites. Nothing quite captures the depravity to which man will sink better than the way in which we treat our fellow creatures.

Picture a warm, pleasant summer day. Horse owners travel from miles around to gather for a day's entertainment. A mare is chained to a post. She's in season. The nearby stallions detect her scent. Their natural instinct is to mate with her. They eye each other carefully. Who is the strongest? Who will get the prize? Some have the courage to fight for her. Some don't. In the wild the matter would be settled quickly. Those willing would fight and victory would be swift. Brutality is an unknown concept to the horse. Injuring any part of the herd injures the herd itself and all would suffer. Nobody has the stomach for blood. Except man, at least when it's not his own.

Two likely candidates are chosen. Led to confinement, they are corralled. The crowd cheer at the thought of what is to come. Bewildered, the unwilling opponents search for the mare. Her scent betrays her. She is nearby. They pull towards her, but are dragged together by their handlers. Chests collide. Heads clash. The crowd goes wild. Almost unknowingly, the would-be rivals become antagonists. The handlers back away as the fight heats up. One clasps a wedge of the other's neck flesh between his teeth and tears it away. Blood pours from the wound. His opponent turns and kicks with his rear legs. One hoof lands a blow to the head with such vigour that an eye pops out. The crowd screams with glee at the animal's suffering. A child looks away, horrified. His father comforts him, encouraging his eyes back to the terrible vista.

The animals withdraw in horror at their own actions, but are beaten back together by their handlers. The horrific scene continues. Neither participant knows for how long. Their breath is short and they wish only for some reprieve, but nature and man conspire to prolong their suffering. Finally, the legs of one buckle from exhaustion. He falls to the ground. Winners cheer and losers grumble. The owners rush to their meat. The victor receives no merit, or attention for his wounds. The looser, dead, is dragged away, skinned, cooked and fed to the crowd. He is soon joined by his compatriot, who, too badly wounded to be of any further use, is unceremoniously slaughtered. Even as they consume their latest victims with bread and beer, their eyes betray their hunger for the next two.

This might seem like some fantastic tale, but everything that is mentioned here has been documented by witnesses of horse fighting in the Philippines. WSPA (World Society for the Protection of Animals) Asia is supporting Network for Animals' campaign against horse fighting by writing to the Director of the Philippine Bureau of Animal Welfare. Laws exist in the Philippines already, prohibiting this type of cruelty. They need to be enforced.

The WSPA is asking people like you and I to support their efforts by writing to embassies of the Philippines in our respective countries, explaining that:

• We believe horse fighting and the inhumane slaughter of horses is cruel and therefore unacceptable.
• We are disappointed that the Philippines' animal welfare legislation is not being upheld, allowing these illegal fights to continue.
• We will not consider visiting the island of Mindanao or encouraging others to do so until the laws preventing horse fighting are fully enforced.
• We would like to know what the government of the Philippines intends to do to address this issue.

The Network for Animals' campaign asks people to send a letter directly to the Mayor of Davao City, the largest city on the island of Mindanao and the economic hub of the area.

"Inform Mayor Duterte that as a compassionate traveller, you choose tourism destinations that are committed to treating animals humanely. Only when all horse fighting has been ended, will you consider travelling to Mindanao."

Mayor Duterte's address is given on the Network for Animals' site and repeated here:

Rodrigo Duterte, Mayor
Davao City Investment Promotion Center
Door 10, Ramon Magsaysay Park Complex, R. Magsaysay Avenue
Davao City, Philippines

I've started an on-line petition to stop horse fighting:

Signatories to this petition will have their names sent to the Government of the Philippines and the Mayor of Davao City asking for the laws on animal welfare to be enforced. Signing the petition is also an action on Celsias.

Pythagoras said: "As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of lower living beings, he will never know health or peace. For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love."