Horse Meat in the USA and UK: A Controversial Culinary Delicacy

2. Horse Meat in the USA: A Historical Overview

Early Consumption of Horse Meat

In the USA, horse meat has not traditionally been a part of the mainstream diet. However, during times of food scarcity, such as during the Civil War or in the early 1900s, horse meat was occasionally consumed as a last resort. During these periods, horses were not only valued for their labor but also for their meat, particularly when other protein sources were scarce.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, horse meat was sometimes found in butcher shops in parts of the USA, particularly in the Midwest, but it was not widely accepted or marketed. It was often used in processed products like sausages and stews.