[hughesy]

I think it's good that HRH has brought the subject out into the open. As has been said a lot of horses couldn't go into the food chain anyway but I think she's right to ask that if horses had a value as meat, would they be looked after better? Plenty of people would love to eat horsemeat but there's no infrastructure in this country to get it into the human food chain.

[Rosemary]

I think it's good that HRH has brought the subject out into the open. As has been said a lot of horses couldn't go into the food chain anyway but I think she's right to ask that if horses had a value as meat, would they be looked after better? Plenty of people would love to eat horsemeat but there's no infrastructure in this country to get it into the human food chain.

Do commercial pigs and broiler poultry get better looked after because they are going into the human food chain?

[HappyHippy]

My Shetland has been diagnosed as probably having Cushings. He's 13. He's had blood tests  today and we'll know on Tuesday. Medication is around £1.50 per day, £550 a year. He could live another 10 years. It's a tough one.

Oh no, poor Bugs  But as you know, Spud had Cushings and he was at least 30 when we had to say goodbye - it gets harder for them in the winter but with careful management and plenty of tlc there will be a good few more years of enjoyment with him yet.
  it turns out not to be Cushings 

[mab]

I think it's a good idea - It should help if the abbatoir is an option when money is short and (as seems to happen) people don't want to spend money on an animal they no longer have a use for.

Bute may be a problem now, but if a horsemeat market becomes established wouldn't vets recommend alternatives? (I'm assuming there are alternatives of course - I don't actually know) in case the animal might go for food? So itmay be less of a problem in the future.

[Min]

I have also been wondering, isn't it just about impossible for small producers to make any money from meat animals? Maybe the current batch of neglected horses could be dealt with but once people start farming commercially, Mr and Mrs Bloggs with poor old Neddie mouldering in their back garden are not going to be able to get enough money for him for it to be worth it?

[mab]

Well they might not make money - but they may 'break even' which is financially more appealing than paying to have an animal euthanased (SP?)  and 'disposed of' which is what owners of unwanted horses face ATM.

[hughesy]

Do commercial pigs and broiler poultry get better looked after because they are going into the human food chain?

Depends on your point of view. Those types of rearing system are not to everyone's taste but the animals are closely monitored for health risks and fed the perfect rations to achieve what the consumer wants. Trouble is there will always be cowboys who don't care and who knows one day there might be a commercial horsemeat industry in this country which could end up like the existing meat industry with several different production systems.

[happygolucky]

My brother reminded me that horse meat was common when I was growing up, often sold on markets etc cheaply.....I am not sure how many problems it would solve to sell the unwanted horses as meat, they have been a must have pet for some people until they find their costs and commitment.....

[Min]

Well they might not make money - but they may 'break even' which is financially more appealing than paying to have an animal euthanased (SP?)  and 'disposed of' which is what owners of unwanted horses face ATM.

I don't know, they would have to fork out initially to get the animals healthy enough to be sent. I don't know what neglectful owners are likely to be thinking about this prospect as it is too far out of my zone.

I just can't help thinking that it would only be a temporary solution at best, until commercial interests take over.

Does anyone know if France has a horse population problem?

[shygirl]

what are the legalities of killing a horse for meat? where are the abattoirs that take horses? could you do a homekill for example?

[mab]

Well they might not make money - but they may 'break even' which is financially more appealing than paying to have an animal euthanased (SP?)  and 'disposed of' which is what owners of unwanted horses face ATM.

I don't know, they would have to fork out initially to get the animals healthy enough to be sent. I don't know what neglectful owners are likely to be thinking about this prospect as it is too far out of my zone.

I just can't help thinking that it would only be a temporary solution at best, until commercial interests take over.

Does anyone know if France has a horse population problem?

Oh, yes I see what you mean - I was thinking that when they realise they don't want/can't afford the horse they can send to the abbatoir - i.e. before it gets neglected; but then that assumes a more rational train of thought than reality.

[hughesy]

what are the legalities of killing a horse for meat? where are the abattoirs that take horses? could you do a homekill for example?

The legalities are the same as for any other animal that goes for human consumption. There are a very few abattoirs in the UK that can slaughter horses I think.

[lachlanandmarcus]

There's currently only two that take horses in the UK, tho there are a few more with dormant licences.

[tizaala]

So will she start eating it now ? and Camilla ? isn't that a bit like cannibalism ? 

[john and helen]

Tried Horse in france many years ago, tasted wonderful, almost like a sweet version of beef,
also had the great honour in meeting Princess Anne, really nice  woman, can only speak as i find