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Horse meat is tender, low in fat and high in protein. Just like Beef and Pork , in some societies there is a Social Taboo regarding the consumption of horse meat. Horse meat has had somewhat of a resurgence in popularity in Europe and Canada in recent years as horses are not susceptible to BSE (mad cow disease). HISTORY In the late palaeolithic ( Magdalenian ) wild horses formed an important source of food. In pre-Christian times, horse meat was eaten in northern Europe as part of Teutonic religious ceremonies, particularly those associated with the worship of Odin . According to legend, the French taste for horse meat dates from the Battle Of Eylau in 1807 , when the surgeon-in-chief of Napoleon 's Grand Army, Baron Dominique-Jean Larrey , advised the starving troops to eat the flesh of dead battlefield horses. The cavalry used breastplates as cooking pans and Gunpowder as seasoning, and thus founded a tradition. During World War II , due to the low supply and high price of beef, the state of New Jersey legalised the sale of horse meat. At war's end, the state again prohibited such sale (some say in response to pressure from the Beef lobby). Although people in the United States rarely eat horse meat, around 50,000 horses are slaughtered each year in two abattoirs in Texas for export to Europe, Mexico, or Japan. Horse meat produced in the U.S. is also sold to Zoo s for Carnivore feeding, due to its high protein content. The 1986 Kentucky Derby winner and 1987 U.S. Horse Of The Year , Ferdinand, is believed to have been slaughtered in Japan, likely for pet food. {Link without Title} THE TABOO Horse is commonly eaten in many countries in Europe and Asia . However, in many Islam ic countries horse meat is generally considered clean but not Halal although there are many instances, especially wars and famine, when horses were slaughtered and eaten by Muslims. The eating of horse meat is a social taboo to many people in countries like the United Kingdom , the U.S. , and Australia , and illegal in some places. Like Lobster and Camel , it is forbidden by Jewish and some Christian religions. In 732 AD, Pope Gregory III began an effort to stop the pagan practice of horse eating, calling it "abominable", and the people of Iceland allegedly expressed reluctance to embrace Christianity for some time largely over the issue of giving up horse meat. His edicts are based on the same scripture as the Jewish prohibitions. In some countries the effects of this prohibition by the Catholic Church have lingered, and horse meat prejudices have progressed from taboos, to avoidance, to abhorrence. In other parts of the world, horse meat has the stigma of being something poor people eat and is seen as a cheap substitute for other meats. According to the anthropologist Marvin Harris , some cultures class horsemeat as Taboo because the horse converts grass into meat less efficiently than other beasts, since horses do not function as Ruminant s. When breeding cattle for meat, a cow or a sheep will produce more meat if fed with the same amount of grass. However (apart from the ox) those can not be used as working or war animals and does not address the issue of meat wastage. Brigitte Bardot has spent her latter years crusading against the eating of horse meat. PRODUCTION In was 153,000 tonnes {Link without Title} . A Food Standards Agency (FSA) 2003 investigation has revealed that Salami and Chorizo on sale in the UK sometimes contain horse and Donkey meat, without being mentioned on the food label—despite being legally required to do so. Very few horsemeat producing countries specifically raise horses for meat as cattle are; instead they use ex-racehorses, riding horses, horses sold at auction by unaware owners, and also stolen ones {Link without Title} . Meat from (injured) horses that veterinarians have put down with a lethal injection is not used for consumption; the carcasses of such animals are Cremated . When used for food horses are stunned using a Captive Bolt Gun and then killed by exsanguination. Many prefer horse meat due to the more humane and small scale process used in some countries. The horse is led out to an open area, given some food and then killed without stress that a large scale slaughter process may produce. However, in many countries such as the United States or Canada, horses are slaughtered in large-scale factory Slaughter House s similar to those used for cattle. OPPOSITION TO HORSE SLAUGHTER The use of horses for meat production is widely opposed in countries such as America and England where horses are considered companion and sporting animals, like dogs and cats. United States Polls sponsored by various horse supporting bodies have shown that most people are not aware that American horses are slaughtered for consumption overseas. According to some of these polls, in New York, 64% of people polled actually believed that slaughtering horses for meat was illegal while in Indiana, 91% believe that horse slaughter should be banned. An overwhelming majority of Texas voters (89%) are unaware that horse slaughter goes on their own state. Source of polls: http://equineprotectionnetwork.com/slaughter/polls.htm PREPARATION Horse meat has a slightly sweet taste reminiscent of a combination of beef and Venison that some find unappealing. Meat from younger horses tends to be lighter in colour while older horses produce richer colour and flavour. Those preparing Sandwich es or cold meals with horse meat usually use it smoked and salted. Horse meat forms an ingredient in several traditional recipes of Salami . Austria Kare is an Austrian stew made with horse meat and a variety of vegetables. The base of the dish is made from a peanut sauce (sometimes spiced), horse meat, and occasionally offal or tripe. Dumplings can also be prepared with horse meat, spinach or Tyrolean Graukäse (a sour milk cheese). They are occasionally eaten on their own, in a soup, or as a side-dish. Belgium It is widely believed that traditional Belgian fries (''pommes frites'') were cooked in horse fat, but in fact Ox fat was used, although this has been supplanted by Nut Oil (considered inferior by many) for health reasons. In Belgium, horse meat or ''viande de chevaline'' is highly prized, and is used in Steak Tartare . Compared to the beef equivalent, the richer flavour of the horse meat lends itself better to the pungent seasoning used in preparation. Besides being served raw, it can be broiled for a short period, with a crusty exterior and a raw, moist interior. Smoked horse meat is very popular as breakfast and sandwich meat. The taste is sweet, hearty and the meat is low in fat content, making it a popular choice for health conscious consumers. A pan seared horse steak is a common fare for main meals in Belgium. Canada (Quebec) Agriculture in the province of Quebec seems to prosper under the prohibitions in the south of the border. There is a thriving horse meat business in Quebec, and horse meat is frequently available at supermarkets. Chile In Chile it is used in Charqui . France In France , specialised butcher shops (''boucheries chevalines'') sell horsemeat, as ordinary butcher shops do not have the right to deal in it. Germany In Germany , horse meat is traditionally used in Sauerbraten , a strongly marinated type of sweet-sour braised meat dish, however in the last couple of decades beef has become more common. Iceland In Iceland it is used for Fondue , but it is mostly used for Stew s for its strong flavour. Italy In . Japan ]] In '' (a type of barbecue), where it is called '' Baniku '' (lit., horse meat) or ''bagushi'' (lit., skewered horse); thin slices of raw horse meat are sometimes served wrapped in a Shiso Leaf . Kumamoto and Matsumoto are famous for ''basashi'', and it is common in the Tohoku Region and other rural regions as well, though ''basashi'' restaurants can be found all over Japan . There is also a dessert made from horse meat called Basashi ice cream. The company that makes it is known for its unusual ice cream flavours, many of which have limited popularity. Kazakhstan In Kazakhstan many parts of a horse are used with the meat usually being salted, dried and smoked {Link without Title} . Some of the dishes include sausages called ''kazy'' and ''shuzhuk'' made from the meat using the guts as the sausage skin, ''zhaya'' made from hip meat which is smoked and boiled, ''zhal'' made from neck fat which is smoked and boiled, ''karta'' made from a section of the rectum which is smoked and boiled, and ''sur-yet'' which is kept as dried meat. The Netherlands In the Netherlands , a popular Breakfast sliced meat is smoked horsemeat (paardenrookvlees). Portugal Romania Spain Ground horse meat is made into a pattie which is fried and served on a roll. Horses are slaughtered there or shipped alive for slaughter abroad to supply the European market, especially the French and Italian ones. Spanish research finds Omega-3 fatty acids in meat from foals Sweden Smoked/cured horse meat is widely available as Cold Cut under the apparently Euphemistic name ''hambugerkött''. Switzerland In Switzerland horse meat may be used in Fondue Bourguignonne . FURTHER READING
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