CIRCUS performers have insisted they love their performing animals and regard them as part of the family.

Excited families filing in to Zippos’ big tent in Hove this weekend had to pass a small group of protesters objecting to animals being used in the circus.

But director Martin Burton told The Argus: “Just because you’re making a living with your animals doesn’t mean you’re abusing them. You have them because you love them and want to look after them.

“We’ve never had wild animals but we’re a traditional circus, we do have domestic animals.

“We consider the horses to be part of our family.

“They’re as important as any of the humans here and in some respects more important because the humans can look after themselves.”

The troupe’s five horses are used in a traditional Cossack circus act featuring the Khadikov family from Kazakhstan.

The performance is based on traditional horseback military techniques.

Mr Burton explained: “I’ve heard people claim they hang off the horses’ necks.

“They don’t. You’ll see if you come – it’s the shoulder, which is where a horse has most of its strength.

“That’s where a plough sits.”

The Argus toured the circus site and saw the stables.

Each horse has three square metres of space, the same as standard stables, and Mr Burton explained the stables are erected as soon as the circus arrives at a new location.

In April, an official veterinary inspection found the horses “appeared in good health, free from external signs of infection or disease, and fit to be transported and to appear in performances in the circus.”

On facebook protesters are using a “#boycottzippos” hashtag to attract support.

Alexandra Wolfe wrote: “Just a friendly post to urge people not to go to Zippos while it’s in town.

“They are using animals in their show.

“Myself and some other activists peacefully stood outside yesterday, we saw the horses who look pretty skinny, standing looking very glum in a very small enclosure.”

A group of four to six protesters has gathered nightly with placards.

Zippos is in town until Sunday.