The eating of horses has recently been newsworthy as
European meat supplies have been found to be infused with horse meat. The horse
meat has shown up in processed meat products (ground meat and prepared meat
dishes) where it is difficult to detect, as opposed to prime cuts or hanging
meat (carcass).
This recent debacle over horse meat brings me to a topic I
am passionate about — eating horses. I have never eaten horse meat, but don’t
disparage against cultures that do. There is a long history of herdsman using
the horse entirely and not just for transportation. Horse milk, meat, bone
and hide were all used to the herdsman’s benefit. This served as a form of herd
selection and improved the horse species as a whole.
In the United States, the consumption of horse meat,
historically, has been in times of need rather than by choice. The horse served
a greater role in transportation and in draught (pulling carriages and farm
equipment) and was considered too valuable for consumption. As the internal
combustion engine replaced traditional horse power, the role of the horse
shifted from livestock to that of companion or pet and with that shift, a
change in the attitude of people concerning the slaughter of horses for meat.
Friends and associates, you know me. I have been outspoken
on my feelings concerning horses and animals in general. Some of you have
described me as an “animal lover,” a title I won’t argue.
How do you think I
stand on this issue? How do you stand on the issue, would you include horse in
your diet if you had the choice?
Over the next few blogs, I will present a few arguments for
and against horse slaughter and consider the consequences. I will also show
how this topic affects us all.
I feel horses hold a much greater value than food. To me horses are almost like domesticated animals such as dogs and cats here in America. I don't look down upon cultures and countries that do eat horse meat out of need as you say. But countries like the US and Europe are pretty well developed where the use of horses as a source of food is completely unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteYou represent the the bulk of sensible people's opinion on this issue. It is you I hope to engage and inform, not persuade. I'm going to share my viewpoint only for consideration.
DeleteThis is a very sensitive topic that is often clouded by ethnocentrism, but my opinion mostly aligns with yours. I would never eat horse meat, but who am I to say that another culture can't consider it a delicacy? However, I do feel that horses, throughout history, have gained a lot of respect for being a companion to man.
ReplyDeleteThis is my second reading of this post and I look forward to hearing some strong opinions from "The Horse Whisperer."
Well done, Birch.
"The Horse Whisperer" eh? You honor me Stew, truly. But rest assured if that horse isn't listening, I'll give him a shout.
DeleteI agree, I wouldn't eat horse meat, but I'm sure there are those out there who feel they need to eat it or eat it because they consider it a delicacy. Also, I agree that horses are now seen as man's companion more than a means of transportation. I really look forward to your next couple of posts to see how you delve into this topic. I also really like the picture of you and Kenny. Great job, Birch.
ReplyDeleteStay tuned amigo!
DeleteI have always loved how informed you are about horses (as Stew mentioned "the Horse Whisperer) and how to bring this topic to light with current issues that are going on surrounding them. I think that this is a very strong suit when it comes to this post. Bringing questions into the post also adds a way for readers to connect. You are doing a good job, keep it up.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I like how you included how other cultures use horses for everything and not just transportation. I look forward to reading more on this topic from you. I enjoyed your post it was easy to read and wasn't too lengthy. I feel like this is a topic you are an expert on so you know what you are talking about. Your writing is good and because your knowledge of horses can be seen in your post. I do also enjoy the photos you include on your posts.
ReplyDeleteI think you posted this around the time that the IKEA meatball stuff came up...
ReplyDeleteI love how you related this to your own life.
Your writing is strong! Keep it up! I can feel your knowledge on the subject through your writing.
As far as where I stand on the issue... I don't know. I don't feel that horses are bred for their meat like chickens and cows.
It was the IKEA meatball incidence that brought up the topic. It reminds me of a time in the mid seventies that McDonald's meat imported from Australia contain kangaroo meat. It caused a similar stir.
DeleteGreat post - very thought-provoking. Like a few people have already said, I think this is a question of ethnocentrism and comfortability. In other cultures, eating dog is perfectly acceptable, insects can be considered a delicacy, monkeys are served up, cannibalism is a ritualistic act, and here in America, we have plenty of people who are forced to eat right out of a dumpster. I'm not a big horse-person, but I can see if I had a pet pig, that I would certainly feel differently about ham sandwiches. America is an odd place; we are one of the few who have come up with names to separate our concept of food from animals - pig is pork, cow is beef, etc. So, eating horse meat will probably continue to be a sensitive subject in a country that has romanticized its relationship with that animal for so long. I appreciate that you love horses, so I hope that that wasn't taken as being disrespectful . Regardless, I think this is one of your best posts, and I'm really looking forward to the follow-up. Are there any horse population or health concerns that we should consider regarding the sensitive topic?
ReplyDelete"Romanticized", good term Mike! The major concern is toward the consumer. The horse receives a host of medications, in man's care, that are best not ingested. The animal's well being will be the focus of a two part post so I won't comment now.
DeleteDefinitely not the post I expected from you buddy. I would have thought you would be outraged at the very idea of consuming horse meat, but you actually presented everything very logically with sound facts. I'm enjoying your posts Birch, you've got a style that's fun to read and everything that you write is very quotable! I just wish you'd post weekly! Work on getting another one up!
ReplyDeleteYou're going to be surprised at my stance on this issue as I reveal it fully over the next few blogs. Thanks for the kick in the backside, I needed it!
DeleteI like how you bring forth an issue that is in the news and applies to your blog and how you have sort of written an introduction as to what you will be talking about over the next few posts. I think the biggest strength of this is how you promote discussion. Since you haven't told us what you think on this issue, you have really left it in our hands to discuss. As for me, I don't feel that there's a real issue with it, so long as we are allowed to aware of what we are eating and they are treated humanely. Can't wait to read your follow-up!
ReplyDelete