Controversial.........would you ever eat horse meat?

[rforsyth1984]

I dont eat any meat, but dont see how horse is different to other animal?
My OH does eat meat, and I happily purchase and prepare anything that is ethically reared and slaughtered (usually bought from farm shop/ butchers or farmers market). No veal or foie gras though!

 

[TGM]

I don't eat horsemeat myself, as I am a vegetarian, but I have no problem with other people eating horsemeat (or any other meat) as long as it is reared, transported and slaughtered in a humane way.

I really don't understand why some people have a moral objection to eating certain animals, but not others

. Either you think it is acceptable for humans to kill animals for food or not - I don't see how the species of animal affects that

.

 

[Boudicea]

[ QUOTE ]

horses are a domestically reared animal for meat in many countries of the world - are you suggesting that the ones purely raised for meat in these countries are far less worthy than the steeds we travel around the countryside on?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not at all, that is why I used the term 'personal choice' as in choosing to eat horsemeat which was what was asked in the OPs post. We have personal choice, in many countries they don't or it is as traditional as eating beef.

If you want my personal 'beliefs' instead then I agree with many posters here in saying that it is the humane treatment and slaughter we should be more concerned with.

I was simply stating why I would personally not eat horsemeat in this country or in any European or foreign country.

 

[Boudicea]

[ QUOTE ]
but Boudicea, i want to agree with you, but the fact is that a lot of horses are abused, starved, generally mistreated in this country (just look at the pics of some of the charities, or go to a sale), and travel horrendous distances in horrible conditions to be slaughtered.
it would be a wonderful thing if all horses were well treated, and if all dogs were well-treated, in this country let alone around the world, but it is unlikely to happen.
if there was a shortage of them, they would be valued more highly (emotionally, not just in terms of ££s) and better treated.
seems like a daft comparison, but do you remember 25-odd years ago when baby tortoises were being imported in their hundreds of thousands as pets? you could buy one for a couple of quid. huge numbers died in transport, most pet ones died too, due to ignorance and inappropriate feeding/treatment etc.
now that there is a ban on import, they are very hard to get hold of, and the ones that are here, are very well treated.
i can see a parallel, anyway! i know what i mean!

[/ QUOTE ]

And I certainly understand what you mean! A very well written and thought out reply! I work as an Inspector for a small rescue and rehabilitate equine rescue and like you and probably all of us in the horse world we could all recount horror stories. If only there was a magic wand or a fairy godmother eh?