Edinburgh restaurant put horsemeat on the menu

Its a gimmick. I live in Edinburgh and its full to saturation point of moderate-average level restaurants. As someone correctly said above, in most countries which do eat horsemeat, it is considered an inferior source of meat, generally when you can't afford to eat other meats. I personally wouldn't fall for gimmicky marketing which tried to rebrand it as a trendy alternative to good quality traditional cuts of beef, lamb, etc.. But then my father was a butcher and I know my meat. I'd also be worried about maintaining a market for dubiously raised imported horsemeat.

I won't be going to this restaurant and I've had so many disappointing meals in so-called top Edinburgh resaturants. The only one I find consistently good quality is the No 1 at the Balmoral. I've eaten at the Witchery and only the setting was exceptional, I've had to send meals back at both Harvey Nicks and The Peat Inn (not in Edinburgh but nearby) due to them being full of gristle and fat. As I say, I know my meat!
 
I would probably try it although I have to admit it does turn my stomach a little and I don't think I'd want to eat it more than once. Aside from the importance of humane treatment, which applies equally to all animals, I don't think that it is any more 'wrong' to eat horse than cow, sheep, pig or chicken etc, or that horses are more worthy. I don't think its hypocritical to prefer not to eat something on sentimental grounds, a lot of the things we do and choices we make are irrational and part of our larger experience in life, which for me includes seeing horses as companions and, its true, also feeling more protective towards 'cuter' animals.

Having said all that, after watching the documentary 'Earthlings', I would think about becoming vegetarian. I have no problem at all with eating meat or animal products in principle, if as somebody mentioned above it was a cow who led a pleasant live and was killed locally. But unfortunately that doesn't seem possible anymore and it is the mass scale of slaughter and the horrific practices which seem to result from some industries which is such a problem.
 
the owner is quite wrong in saying that the steaks/meats he serves up at his restaurant are 'farmed' animals. the traditional french and belgian meat breeds are also now being joined by shetland ponies, new forest ponies, ex race horses, ex brood mares. many of the horses at the meat fattening farms in france ARE ex pets and riding horses, not just comptois or ardenne bred youngsters.

there was recently a 15yo shetland pony, who had done all pc activities and was being sent for the meat trade, and there are several new forest ponies there at the moment.

while they are kept there they are not well treated, they don't get veterinary care, farriers, they are mainly all covered in lice, long feet and until they are due to be sent for slaughter, they aren't fed.

the donkey we imported a month ago is skin and bone and covered in lice and feet so long he could hardly walk, he would have suffered like that for many months before his time came to go. he is now able to walk, is putting on weight and is as happy as a clam - he was clearly a family pet as he adores people and cuddles. i suspect he would have been pretty tough to eat!
 
sharon1959 said:
I do not agree with you,. Horses are pets NOT food.
If you eat Italian Salami your eating horse/donlkey,I read in in a horse magazine.Dont touch it and Id never eat a horse no matter what.
Click to expand...


But I have 2 pet sheep, and people eat them!

I have eaten horsemeat before, several years ago in France. I didn't know it was horse until someone told me after I'd finished my meal, and if I'd known beforehand I wouldn't have eaten it. But, I have to say, it was tasty! And although I wouldn't choose to eat it, if I was starving I definitely would consider it.

My main concern is the quality of life the horse had, and obviously the death. I always buy British meat mainly because of welfare issues, as well as supporting our economy.

Yes, we all love our horses, but I also love my pet sheep and I eat lamb.. Whatever your thoughts on the issue, we are carnivores. Simplez.
 
I do see where your coming from.There are sheep everywhere around here. My daughter is going to France with the school and she said she will NOT eat any meat whilst shes there.My son put everyone off their steak when he told them its probebly horse.Only one child ate it and it wasnt my son.
I just dont agree with horses being used for meat,they show so much love. Mine licks my face like a dog would. lol
 
sharon1959 said:
I do see where your coming from.There are sheep everywhere around here. My daughter is going to France with the school and she said she will NOT eat any meat whilst shes there.My son put everyone off their steak when he told them its probebly horse.Only one child ate it and it wasnt my son.
I just dont agree with horses being used for meat,they show so much love. Mine licks my face like a dog would. lol
Click to expand...

Thats was awfully grown up of your son, :rolleyes: Maybe it never occured to him or his friends that if they ASKED what meat it was, they would have a choice as to eating it or not :rolleyes:

My friends pet sheep rush up the field to see you. I know a couple of pet cows who are gentle and affectionate. Mind you they aren't allowed to lick your face (disgusting habit!) so they of course they are not as worthy as horses and are fine to eat :rolleyes:
 
We all have our own opinions.The kids were in Disney Land Paris and the staff where they were staying would not of told them its horse anyway. My son took a tiny bit off the end and said it tasted funny and he refused to eat it.
 
bigears said:
the owner is quite wrong in saying that the steaks/meats he serves up at his restaurant are 'farmed' animals. the traditional french and belgian meat breeds are also now being joined by shetland ponies, new forest ponies, ex race horses, ex brood mares. many of the horses at the meat fattening farms in france ARE ex pets and riding horses, not just comptois or ardenne bred youngsters.

there was recently a 15yo shetland pony, who had done all pc activities and was being sent for the meat trade, and there are several new forest ponies there at the moment.

while they are kept there they are not well treated, they don't get veterinary care, farriers, they are mainly all covered in lice, long feet and until they are due to be sent for slaughter, they aren't fed.

the donkey we imported a month ago is skin and bone and covered in lice and feet so long he could hardly walk, he would have suffered like that for many months before his time came to go. he is now able to walk, is putting on weight and is as happy as a clam - he was clearly a family pet as he adores people and cuddles. i suspect he would have been pretty tough to eat!
Click to expand...

That's because you at ES are buying from dealers, not the meat farmers........ mostly from the dealers whose animals that do finally go to the abattoir end up as dogfood.
The farmed horses are very different.
How many of them have you visited?
 
Oooh, I can see this turning into a franch thread very soon!!

Had it in France once, gave me the trots..........
 
Personally I don't like the way they are killed. It's a horse; used to trusting people, or a new born. Now, foals being slaughtered, that's just sick!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top