What's wrong with a bit of horse?

11/02/2013

Whilst britains up and down the country are worried about the presence of horse meat in our food it had me wondering Why don't we eat Horse?

We are happy to eat ducks, chickens, pigs, sheep and cows all of which live side by side on a farm with horses. What exactly is it about a horse that means it is not for human consumption?

I am sure those of you that have eaten a tesco burger or a findus lasagne recently enjoyed it just as much as you would have done last year (when hopefully they didnt contain horse) so it isn't the taste that seems to be the problem. It certainly isnt the price as I am sure it must be a cheaper alternative to beef.

Horses have been working side by side with humans for a long time, as a method of transport, as a way of ploughing fields and in battle. Is this why we feel that we can't eat them?

Higher in calories and fat but lower in cholesterol than beef it could be a low cost meat that would allow the poorest in the community to eat more red meat. They are already eating it in the cheapest of convenience foods so why not a nice bit of horse steak? Or a horse stew with dumplings?

Horse meat is being eaten in countries all over the world and in some places is even thought of as a delicacy. With a sweeter taste that is apparently reminiscent of a mix of beef and venison it is a lean meat that matures well becoming more tender and darker the older the horse is when it is slaughtered. It cooks quicker than both beef and pork so could be perfect for rushed week day dinners saving you not only time but money as well.

I cant see the problem with eating horse as long as I know it is horse that I am eating. Tight food restrictions and correct product labeling could open up the Uk to a new food source.

Now I am going to go grab my tesco value horse meat burgers out of the freezer and make me and Elizabeth some lunch.

Comments

PippaD @ A Mothers Ramblings link

11/02/2013 11:14

We were talking about this yesterday, we've decided it's because we think of Horses as Pets not just working animals.

I've had Horse when I was in France (wasn't told what it was until after I'd eaten it as the French Family weren't sure how I'd react) and more than likely eaten it in some ready meal or another over the last few months. I don't think I'd order it in a restaurant if it were offered, but as you say as long as the Horse Passports are in order then it could be a new food source.

Emma link

11/02/2013 11:31

I totally agree, as long as it is clearly labeled then I have no problem eating it. The only real problem I can see is the mis-selling of the products as beef.

Little Lilypad Co link

11/02/2013 12:22

I totally agree, they eat it in other countries and as long as it is labelled, I don't see the issue.

This has made me giggle this morning though :-)

Mummy Barrow link

11/02/2013 12:55

I dont have a problem with eating horse. never done it knowingly but a French friend of ours did give us some steaks that are in our freezer.

The problem with this scandal is that the horses in the food chain are not traceable.

Horses that are eaten are medicine free. Horses that have been used as race horses are sold off when knackered and unscrupulous dealers are selling them to food manufacturers.

These horses have had drugs injected in to them to help them stay well for races and one of those drugs is called Bute. Bute if ingested by humans can be carcinogenic.

And that is the real scandal. If it transpires that Bute is in the food chain then the scandal will become full blown and companies will be prosecuted.

So as I see it, it is not the horse that is the issue, it is what is in the horse.

Actually Mummy link

12/02/2013 11:35

That's a really good point. I ate horse in Spain regularly when I lived there, so the only problem I could see here was that we were uninformed by packaging. But as you say, if this is unscrupulously sold meat not fit for the food chain then that's what we should all be upset about - not the scandal of eating a horse!

Gemma link

11/02/2013 13:35

I agree that it is probably because we think of them as pets as to why we don't eat them, but what is it with the people that have been given it in France and not being told until after that it was horse? This happened to me as well! Xx

Amanda link

11/02/2013 19:12

I understand people being annoyed that the food was incorrectly labelled, they have every right to be. But I don't understand the whole 'oh we can't eat horse meat' argument, most of us wouldn't know the difference unless told!

Mary at Keynko link

12/02/2013 10:36

I'm with you! As long as the animal is fairly treated and humanly killed - why should it matter! Mind you as a vegetarian I guess I don't really get to have an opinion!

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