Eating horses?

[5Foot5]

DH and I are watching QI on Dave and there has been a discussion about eating horse meat. We were both a bit surprised that it is still seen as slightly distasteful by many people.

I have knowingly eaten horse twice - once in France at a barbeque and once in a hotel in Iceland where we ate foal for a starter and it was sweet and succulent and lovely.

So AIBU for thinking we are a bit squeamish in this country and there is really nothing wrong with it and for asking would you/ have you?

AtSea because they're carnivores perhaps? I wouldn't eat horse though.

Serious question - what is a gf point? Not here to cause WW3 just wondering why we make a distinction.

We used to keep guinea pigs as pets so obviously felt a bit "Aww!" when we realized they are often eaten in South America. But I accept that is totally illogical and no different to eating rabbit.

I am just curious why it is perfectly acceptable in cultures very similar to ours but provokes strong reactions here.

I don't see any difference between horses/cows tbh, I wouldn't personally eat one as I only eat chicken as meat, but in theory I don't see the problem, and I've had horses since I was two! With people's 'oh but they're pets' argument - horses are there to do a job, if they don't, what can't they be a burger?

Personally I don't care what meat you want to eat. Even if it's cat or dog

What I do care is about how they are raised and killed

I find the Korean way of killing them horrific and unacceptable

I haven't eaten it but I would if I had the opportunity.

It's cultural of course. Other cultures eat animals that we don't for various reasons. Many cultures eat insects in a way that we don't for example. Some eat whale or dolphin which most people in the UK wouldn't. The French don't mind eating horses, most people in the UK do mind. I wouldn't and I haven't, but I've been vegetarian for 25 years so that probably isn't a great surprise.

I've eaten dog too, it's meat, so long as it's not someone's actual pet that has been stolen I'm fine with it.
I have four very spoiled cats, I'd still try cat, just not a pet one although possibly my stupid one who cries for no reason

Why is OP getting a hard time? She's raising an interesting point

Although OP I couldn't slaughter animals but still eat them. Which may raise some eyebrows.

I used to keep, ride and train horses, and I've eaten horse meat in the UK. I wasnt that impressed with it. It was bright red and didnt taste of much.

I have in Iceland. It was served in a stew and was delicious. I was not upset by it even though I come from a horsey family. If it's raised with care and in a natural way (which they are in Iceland) then I can't see its any different from beef etc

One of my favourite meats is rabbit.
I have eaten horse several times. But never knowingly in the UK.

People say about eating 'little fluffy lambs', but by the time they get to the eating stage, they are mahoosive!

I haven't but I would. As someone upthread said it's not the type of meat for me it's how humanely it's treated and killed.

I don't think I would eat cat or dog but that is not because of the cute factor but because they are carnivores and I vaguely remember reading that it is not entirely safe to eat other carnivores. But I readily accept that I haven't followed through the science on that so I could be entirely wrong.

NO I would not like to eat a horse. However I did have a suspiciously large and pale steak from Brixton market once so I probably have.
Not for us Brits, thank you, I will leave it to our continental cousins.

I've eaten horse. I like it. I don't think it is morally different from eating cows and pigs. I understand vegetarians not eating any meat, but it makes no sense to be squeamish about horses whilst tucking into beef.

I haven't eaten it (knowingly) but I would. I've eaten rabbit while owning a pet rabbit. I eat all types of meat, so I don't see the distinction. Why is eating one type of animal so much worse than eating another? If you find the idea appalling then stick to your principles and become a vegetarian - either eating meat is disgusting or it's not.

Herbivores are generally tasty. Carnivores not. Omnivores depend. Reptiles are yuck bit some insects delicious. Frogs snd snails depends on the slime issue.

Because we have a special relationship with the horse, especially in these islands.
I mean you couldnt take a cow showjumping could you?

I don't see why it's worse to eat horses than pigs, which are highly intelligent. Cuteness? Proximity to us? Those big eyes?

I'd rather all meat was raised humanely and killed quickly very near. But what meat it is? Meh.

I hardly eat any meat as an ethical point, but today spent 16 quid on a chicken for tomorrow. I know that this bird has had a happy life, I took a wing off it and made a quick chicken noodle soup, it had enough meat on that wing alone to make the soup. That chicken will seriously be that MN chicken of a gazillion feedings. I digress, totally. As long as I know it's had a good life I'll eat it, rodent, equine, canine, insect and mollusc.

I went to school in France and ate horse meat once or twice a week for 6 years at school dinners. Can't remember whether we ate it much at home (my dad never cooked and my mum fed us on salads, cheese on toast, boiled eggs, canned tuna, etc. because she hates cooking). As far as I know, it's low in fat and fairly nutritious. Not sure why eating a horse is any different to eating a cow or sheep. I believe the meat is cheaper than beef too.

I mean (warming to theme now) you couldnt take a pig round Badminton could you?

Imagine 'Pig of the Year show' Der der der der DER DER DER der der der Der (ok that's enough, ed)

user so the worth of animals life and it's right to live without pain depend on whether you can use it for sport?

A jumping cow...

m.youtube.com/watch?v=D4WtxKoal-c