Zoroastrianism

Prior to the concept of Zoroastrianism many Indo-Aryan traditions placed heavy emphasis on the sacrifice of the cow. The Rig Veda presents the idea of how cow and horse sacrifice was appropriate since it would be presenting gifts to the gods. The Vedic texts explain, "May the wind blow upon our cows with healing; may they eat herbage ...Like-coloured various-hued or single- coloured whose names through sacrifice are known to Agni, Whom the Angirases produced by Ferb vour – vou schsafe to these, Parjanya, great. protection. Those who have offered to the gods their bodies whose varied forms are all well known to Soma" [The Rig Veda (RV), Translated by Ralph H. Griffith, New York, 1992, p. 647]. These rituals would allow followers to sacrifice cows and horses to the gods as gifts of appreciation for their protection and hopes of their good graces. Followers saw the slaughter and cooking of cows as a gift sent to the gods through the smoke from cooking the animal; this concept is also explained in the Rig Veda, “What part of the Steed's flesh the fly hath eaten, or is left sticking to the post or hatchet, 
Or to the slayer's hands and nails adhereth, —among the Gods, too, may all this be with thee. 
Food undigested steaming from his belly, and any odour of raw flesh remaining,
This let the immolators set in order and dress the sacrifice with perfect cooking” Rigveda 10.162.10 (HYMN CLXII. The Horse). The Rig Veda explains how cow sacrifice is a useful ritual in pleasing the gods, the cow is presented as a gift to please them and show the followers dedication.
The ritual of cow sacrifice is viewed much differently in Zoroastrianism, the Zoroaster sees the cow as her own being that is living in fear of the violence that humans have been subjecting her to. Yasna 29 gives a clear description of the fear and confusion the cow is living in because she recognizes that she has no leader or pastor expect the humans that are slaughtering her, “Fury and force, cruelty,