Hounds, horses and their riders from the Southdown and Eridge with East Sussex and Romney Marsh trail hunting pack made their way through Lewes’s High Street on Friday morning as part of the annual parade.
The tradition has inspired controversy over the years, with Sussex Police making eight arrests last year.
One onlooker who went to see the parade said this year’s event went ahead peacefully.
Trail hunting involves laying a scent of an animal, usually using urine, across the countryside which a pack of hounds then searches for and follows.
It is still controversial as the scent is laid in areas where the animals live to recreate the conditions of a traditional hunt.
Critics say hounds may pick up the scent of live animals still as a result.
The government’s new animal welfare strategy, launched shortly before Christmas, set out plans to ban trail hunting in response to concerns it is being used as a smokescreen for foxhunting.
The Countryside Alliance defended the practice, introduced to comply with the Hunting Act 2004’s ban on pursuing foxes, and tens of thousands of people are expected to turn up at Boxing Day trail hunts.
The group claimed hunts contribute more than £100 million a year to the rural economy.
It said the government had “alienated rural people”, with a poll suggesting 65 per cent of voters think the Labour administration unfairly neglects country communities.
The government will launch a consultation in early 2026 on how to ban trail hunting.
A Defra spokeswoman said: “This government is committed to banning trail hunting, which is too often used as a cover for illegal fox hunting, and has strong public support across the country.
“This builds on previous animal welfare reforms delivered by this government, including giving police greater powers to prevent dog attacks on livestock, protecting farmers and animals alike.
“The Batters Review highlighted the need for greater collaboration between industry, farmers and government — and that is exactly what we will do.
“We have increased the individual inheritance tax threshold from £1 million to £2.5 million, meaning couples with estates of up to £5 million will pay no inheritance tax.”
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