Eating horsemeat is a controversial subject that many people find offensive. But, there is a small indication that the stigma is slowly lessening. In part, it’s a recognition that we need to be conscious of how we use our resources. And, some feel that raising horses for meat may preserve breeds that would otherwise disappear.
In Iceland, only 1% of the total landmass can be used for agriculture of any kind. This means that grazing land is precious. As a result, the population of horses in terms of quantity and quality is strictly controlled. Part of the control method is to keep some of the animals for meat. Those used for work and pleasure are kept separate, while those destined for meat are left to live an almost wild existence in deserted and remote areas.
It’s estimated that about 10,000 horses a year of Iceland’s horse population of 40,000 are processed for meat. While there are those that find eating horse meat objectionable, it’s not an unusual sight to see it offered on restaurant menus with cuts from foal meat being a specialty. A portion of the meat is also exported to other European countries. It seems to have been an effective strategy, along with banning other horses from coming to the country, to prevent overgrazing and keeping the overall population healthy.
In France, native draft horse breeds like Breton, Ardennais and Boulonnais are some that are bred specifically to raise animals for meat. According to the French Trait website, over 85% of the draft horses bred in that country are bred for meat production. The meat from these particular breeds is not necessarily eaten within France however. The meat from young horses is exported to Italy, where it is popular. The horse meat eaten in France is said to be from older horses, processed from North American sources. This is a matter of taste, rather than necessity. But, it’s believed that without the horsemeat trade, these national draft horse breeds would become extinct. Some believe that farmland too, is preserved by the pasturing of these animals, that would otherwise return to unproductive forests.
The trend of eating horsemeat in France has been in a steady decline since World War I, but recently there has been a slight increase in the number of people who eat horsemeat. The reasons for this might be that horsemeat is a leaner, cleaner alternative to pork, beef, and chicken and more people are coming to see the rationale for consuming it - that it’s no different to eat a horse than it is to eat any other animal. It’s more easily found on restaurant menus, although it isn’t as trendy for home cooks yet.
The horse-loving Brits are not coming to the idea of eating horse meat as easily. Back in 2014, I wrote about the proposal by the The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association to encourage the use of this rare breed for meat. Dartmoor Hill Ponies and registered Dartmoor Ponies are endangered breeds. The proposal would only affect the semi-feral ponies that are raised on common pastures. Ideally, allowing some ponies to be processed for meat would raise the value and therefore the quality of care these ponies are getting while preventing their extinction. The maintenance of the herds would also preserve the lands they live on.
The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association has announced its intentions to start selling the ponies for meat. But, there are many arguments against the move. The hill ponies aren’t rare, say some. Horses raised for meat will not ensure they are of increased quality. Others have long held beliefs against eating horse meat. Still, others say it’s only responsible to maintain healthy herds and that a healthy short life is better than a long one of suffering.
So is this a viable way of preserving at-risk breeds? Could other breeds such as the Canadian, the foundation type Morgans, and other ‘draft-type’ horse and pony breeds be saved this way?
We may dislike it, but there are still many people who eat horse meat. A few years ago, I interviewed a woman from Malta who was living in Britain. When I asked her what she missed, she said the beauty of the island and her mother ...
In some cultures, horse meat is still a valued source of protein. A few years ago, I interviewed a young woman from Malta, who was then working in London, England. What did she miss most about home? She missed a delicious meal of ...
There are places of course where horses are eaten, and even raised specifically for their meat. Many of us have strong objections to eating horse meat. But a Swedish harness racer driver has faced criticism for her decision to eat ...
Eating horse meat is a controversial subject that many people find offensive. But, there is a small indication that the stigma is slowly lessening. In part, it’s a recognition that we need to be conscious of how we use our resourc ...
A study by researchers from Guelph University shows that there could be horsemeat in some Canadian sausage. Of the 100 sausages tested undeclared horse meat showed up in one sample that was supposed to be 100% pork. ...
The foals being monitored by the Corolla Wild Horse Fund have had a rough start this spring. The first foal, a colt named Charlie unexpectedly died before he was a month old. He had appeared perfectly healthy. But the group had a ...
PonyBox leader *Rose To Prominence was both #1 ranked horse and held the record for the highest jump until being usurped by 3Pxy *Jack Flash* who also held the top win streak with 2,078. ...
ICYMI, the Kentucky Derby was held May 7th and the winner was a horse that ran because another horse was scratched and then started the race with 1-80 odds. Drone video shows how Rich Strike ran an impossible race to steal a win f ...
* Dream Alliance * may have slipped from the top spot, usurped by challenger ?YouAreMySunshine but she still holds the record for the highest jump at 105 inches. The 15.3 hand Friesian mare foaled on March 6, 2022, and is bred and ...
Santa Anita Park has seen its share of bad publicity and it appears that is continuing after recording its fourth horse death since the beginning of 2022. Despite safety improvements to the track 17 horses died in 2020, and 12 in ...
When you turn 96, how do you spend your birthday? The day is sure to be filled with best wishes, and if you’re Queen Elizabeth, it will have included a visit to your stable. Several celebrations around the Queen’s birthday highlig ...
HSUS takes some hits for their operations sometimes, but they have been responsible for many successful animal rescues. The Tennessee Walking Horse named Pride was one show horse that was seized, along with seven others, after an ...
* Alpha Snap * topped the leaderboard this past week with a best jump of 102.5" and 1,098,500 PB in earnings for owner-breeder Kasch Stables. Alpha Snap at the age of 15 years had a 595 - 7 jumpoff record and a best streak of 274 ...
By 
