History of Horse Meat Consumption The ancient Botai culture in Kazakhstan first domesticated horses 5,500 years ago, and its economy was equine-based. Horses were used for labor, transportation, milk, and consumption. Even at that early time, if the horses did not succumb to the rigors of daily life, work-related injuries, or battle, then they were sold for salvage. The money received from the salvage was reinvested in a younger, stronger horse. The salvaged horse would go to the rendering plant for leather, horsehair furniture, glue, gelatin, cosmetics, or to the butcher for dog food and human consumption. Soldiers and civilians worldwide consumed horse meat during World War I and World War II. Soldiers needed the extra protein horse meat provided. American butcher shops sold horsemeat for half the price of beef, although consumers preferred beef. Today’s society still consumes horse meat. In Europe and Japan, it is a staple and in Sweden horse meat out sells mutton and lamb combined. Residents of Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom all consume horse meat. Italy surpasses all other countries in the European community in horse meat consumption. Horsemeat is lean, protein-rich, finely textured, bright red, firm and most of all immune to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Horse meat has become overwhelmingly popular in Quebec, especially Montreal, where the butchers that specialize in horse meat are busier than ever. This new surge in consumption has been backed by the fear of BSE. Butchers who specialize in horse meat in Europe and Quebec are only allowed horse meat sales within their shop.
The Horse Slaughter Controversy
Many individuals believe
References: Animal Welfare Council, Inc. (2006, May) The Unintended Consequences Of A Ban On The Humane Slaughter (Processing) Of Horses In The United States. Retrieved from www.animalwelfarecoucnil.org Berberoglu, Hrayr Horse Slaughter: What Does it Say About Our Nation? Retrieved April 1, 2012 http://www.greenhorn-horse-facts.com/horse-slaughter.html Johnson, Michael Juozapavicius, Justin. (Nov. 30, 2011) Horse Meat Inpection Ban Lifted in The U.S. May, Kimberly, Dr.(2008).Unwanted Horses and Horse Slaughter. www.avma.org.September 5, 2008 Nine, Jerry Osage County Ranch Home To Oklahoma 's Wild Horses. (November 9, 2010). Retrieved from http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=13474121 Parker, Kathy www.equineprotectionnetwork.com March 2, 2012 Whiting, Terry L [ 7 ]. (The Unintended Consequences of A Ban on the Humane Slaughter (Processing) of Horses in the United States, 2006) [ 8 ] [ 15 ]. (Johnson, 2008) [ 16 ] [ 17 ]. (Osage County Ranch Home To Oklahoma 's Wild Horses, 2010) [ 18 ] [ 19 ]. (Whiting, 2007) [ 20 ] [ 21 ]. (May, 2008) [ 22 ] [ 25 ]. (The Unintended Consequences of A Ban on the Humane Slaughter (Processing) of Horses in the United States, 2006) [ 26 ]