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

3. Horse Meat in the UK: A Controversial Issue

A History of Disdain for Horse Meat

In the UK, the consumption of horse meat has historically been met with disapproval and even horror. The idea of eating horse meat has never been widely accepted, and horses have long been considered companions and working animals. In fact, during the 19th and early 20th centuries, horse meat was often regarded as “poor man’s food,” something to be consumed only in dire circumstances.

The cultural aversion to eating horse meat in the UK is deeply rooted in the country’s longstanding relationship with horses. Horses have been a vital part of British society for centuries, used for transportation, agriculture, and sport. This reverence for horses has contributed to the public’s reluctance to view them as food animals.