The ethics of horse consumption: should we eat these majestic animals?
Tell me that’s not true, but has the US government approved slaughterhouses in the US that allow Americans to process horse meat and sell it to consumers? Oh, where is this world going? The United States is in a unique situation that allows slaughterhouses to process horses for consumption, but still cannot sell the meat to US companies for consumption.
Horses are bred and can be used for so many human benefits. They can enjoy riding horses, work on farms where farmers need their strength, pull heavy carriages, and are used for many other day-to-day needs. Most horse owners treat horses like part of the family. Those who are promoting the slaughter of horses are businessmen or people who do not raise horses.
Why do many consider the consumption of horses taboo? It has to do with the morals or ethics of a person that develops when they are young. Horses and ponies are introduced into the lives of young children at an early age and their beauty is etched in our brains. That said, eating horse has not become a big business in the US and it is unknown how it will be perceived in the future.
As we know, nothing is forever and with that stated the ban on horse slaughter houses has been lifted and right here in the great US we have one location in New Mexico that has been approved to kill these large animals for our delightful enjoyment on the kitchen desk. Missouri and Iowa are also next on the list for approval. On the plus side, our current administration has asked Congress to reinstate the ban.
It would be nice to know which restaurants are offering horse products in their restaurants. In most cases, many customers want to frequent restaurants that serve horses for consumption.
Bottom line, find out if horses are considered pets or livestock. By definition, horses are livestock. We should not see horses as cattle to be slaughtered, but as a means of living. Horses help families in many ways and for many they become part of the family. Many cannot let go even when they are close to death. Horses live 30 years and if you own a horse and don’t see the horses you have as a family after 30 years then you probably shouldn’t have any.