The Reasons Americans Don’t Eat Horse Meat

Last updated: January 30, 2025

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

Would you ever eat horse meat? In some parts of the world, it’s a delicacy, yet in the United States, the idea is practically unthinkable. Why is that?

As a lifelong horseman and licensed racehorse owner, I work with these animals every day—yet I’ve never really questioned why horse meat is off-limits in America until now.

To answer this, I researched USDA regulations, historical consumption trends, and health risks, while also drawing from my own experience handling horses daily. This article breaks down the key reasons why horse meat is taboo in the U.S., covering the cultural, legal, and health factors that make it so uncommon.

Why Americans Don’t Eat Horse Meat: 3 Main Reasons

Americans largely reject horse meat for three main reasons:

• Cultural and Emotional Connections – Horses are seen as companions, not livestock, much like dogs and cats.
• Legal Restrictions – The commercial sale of horse meat is banned in the U.S. due to government regulations.
• Health Risks – Horses are routinely given drugs that are unsafe for human consumption.

While these factors seem straightforward, there’s more to the story. Let’s explore why horses are treated differently from cattle, why U.S. laws have restricted horse meat sales, and the serious health concerns linked to consuming it.

Why Horses Are Culturally Sacred in America

Horses have been by our side for centuries, shaping history and forging deep emotional bonds with humans. Unlike cattle, which have been raised primarily for food, horses have served as warriors, workers, and trusted companions—cementing their place as symbols of freedom, strength, and heritage in American society.

Horses in U.S. History: Symbols of Strength & Freedom

• Westward Expansion & Ranching – Breeds like the American Quarter Horse became essential partners for cowboys herding cattle across the frontier.
• Warfare & National Defense – From the cavalry of the Civil War to the horses used in World War I, they were vital for transport and combat (Read More: Horse Breeds Used in Warfare).
• Agriculture & Industry – Before tractors, Clydesdales and Percherons plowed fields and powered commerce.
• Rodeo & Western Traditions – Since the 1800s, rodeos have celebrated the bond between horse and rider, showcasing events like bronc riding, barrel racing, and roping that highlight their strength and agility. The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) remains a major event, drawing millions of spectators annually.

Even today, horses remain central to American traditions, from the Kentucky Derby’s racing legacy to working partnerships in ranching and equestrian sports like dressage and jumping.

Why Horses Are Not Seen as Livestock in America

• Used in war, ranching, and transportation rather than bred for consumption.
• Emotional connection – People form strong bonds with horses, similar to dogs.
• Spiritual significance – Many Native American tribes view horses as sacred animals.

I remember the first horse I truly bonded with—an energetic mare named Bella. She was more than just an animal I worked with; she was a partner. When I walked into the barn, she would perk up, ears forward, watching my every move. Over time, I realized horses, like dogs, recognize their people and form lasting attachments. That kind of relationship makes the idea of eating them unimaginable to most Americans.

Native American Spiritual Significance

For many Native American tribes, horses are sacred animals, deeply woven into their culture and traditions.

• The Lakota and Comanche Tribes considered horses a gift from the Great Spirit and a sign of power and honor.
• Horses in Native Art & Rituals – They appear in ceremonial dances, totem designs, and oral traditions (Read More: Horse Symbolism in Culture & Spirituality).
• Healing & Emotional Connection – Even today, some Native American communities use equine therapy to help trauma survivors reconnect with their heritage (source).

Horses are more than just work animals—they are symbols of identity and resilience.

Historical Consumption During Hardships: Why It Never Took Hold

Even during World War I and World War II, when food shortages led some to eat horse meat, it was never widely accepted. Americans continued to see horses as partners rather than protein sources.

As a CBS News report once put it: “Horses are your friends.”

Legal Restrictions on Horse Meat Consumption in the U.S.

Many assume eating horse meat is illegal in the United States, but the reality is more complex. While personal consumption of horse meat is not explicitly banned, the commercial sale and slaughter of horses for meat are effectively prohibited due to legal and regulatory barriers.

Why You Can’t Buy Horse Meat in the U.S.

🔹 No USDA/FSIS Inspections – Under U.S. law, any meat sold for human consumption must be inspected by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Since no funding is allocated for horse meat inspections, it cannot be legally sold in the U.S. (USDA Regulations).

🔹 Slaughterhouse Closures – No licensed horse slaughter facilities currently operate in the U.S. Since 2007, a lack of funding for USDA inspections has effectively shut down domestic horse slaughter.

🔹 State-Level Bans – Some states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Oklahoma, have laws that explicitly prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

🔹 Import Ban – The USDA also bans the importation of horse meat from foreign countries, further restricting availability.

Past Attempts to Reintroduce Horse Slaughter

In 2011, Congress briefly lifted the ban on funding USDA horse meat inspections, opening the possibility of reopening U.S. horse slaughterhouses. However, public outcry and legislative pressure kept these facilities from operating, and in 2014, the ban was reinstated (Humane Society Report).

The bottom line: While eating horse meat is not illegal, the lack of USDA inspections and state-level bans make it nearly impossible to obtain legally.

Is Horse Meat Safe to Eat? The Health Risks Explained

Even if horse meat were legally available in the U.S., it wouldn’t be safe to eat. Unlike cattle and poultry, which are raised within strict food safety regulations, horses are not bred for consumption. They receive a variety of medications and substances throughout their lives—many of which are prohibited in animals meant for human consumption.

Why Horse Meat Is Unsafe for Humans to Eat

Common Drugs Found in Horses That Make Their Meat Unsafe

• Phenylbutazone (Bute) – A widely used pain reliever for horses, banned in food animals due to links to bone marrow disease, cancer risks, and other serious health concerns (Humane Society Report on Food Safety).
• Steroids, stimulants, and blood-doping agents – Often administered to racehorses and performance horses to enhance speed and endurance, but their effects on human health remain largely unstudied.
• Cancer drugs, painkillers, and unregulated medications – Horses are frequently treated with anti-inflammatories, sedatives, and experimental drugs that have never been tested for human consumption.

Unlike cattle, horses have no tracking system for drug history, making it impossible to determine whether their meat is safe. In the beef and poultry industries, food animals follow strict withdrawal periods before slaughter to eliminate harmful substances—but horses are not subjected to this oversight.

The 2013 European Horse Meat Scandal: A Warning Sign

The dangers of consuming unregulated horse meat became alarmingly clear during the 2013 European horse meat scandal, when mislabeled horse meat was unknowingly mixed into beef products across multiple countries. Consumers were unknowingly exposed to unregulated drugs, sparking widespread outrage and reinforcing the risks of consuming meat from animals not raised under food safety guidelines (USDA: Horse Meat Safety Risks).

The Bottom Line

Unlike traditional livestock, horses are not monitored, regulated, or treated as food animals, making their meat a high-risk choice for human consumption. Whether through racehorses with performance-enhancing drugs or retired companion horses with lifelong medication histories, there is no way to ensure horse meat is safe to eat.

➤ Learn more about the risks of unregulated medications in horses.

Which Countries Eat Horse Meat—and Why?

While horse meat is taboo in the United States, it is considered a delicacy and an important part of the diet in various countries around the world.

Countries That Eat Horse Meat

• China: As the largest consumer of horse meat globally, China incorporates it into various traditional dishes. Michigan State University College of Law
• Kazakhstan: Horse meat is integral to Kazakh cuisine, with dishes like beshbarmak—a meal featuring boiled horse meat and noodles—holding cultural significance. NPR
• Italy, France, and Belgium: In these European nations, horse meat is used in stews, sausages, and steaks, reflecting a long-standing culinary tradition. Horsemeat Consumption in Europe
• Japan: Known locally as sakura niku or basashi, raw horse meat is served thinly sliced, often accompanied by soy sauce and ginger. Horse Slaughter and the Horsemeat Trade in Japan
• Mexico and Switzerland: In specific regions, horse meat is consumed and incorporated into local culinary practices. University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

In these countries, horses have historically been viewed as livestock rather than companions, which is why their meat is more widely accepted. Cultural norms and historical practices play significant roles in shaping dietary choices, leading to the acceptance of horse meat in some societies and its rejection in others.

Horse Meat vs. Beef: Nutritional Differences

Some cultures, particularly in Europe and Asia, view horse meat as a lean, iron-rich alternative to beef, valued for its high protein content and low fat levels.

🔹 Japan – Raw horse meat, known as sakura niku, is served like sushi and is prized for its tender texture, rich flavor, and high iron content.
🔹 France & Belgium – Commonly used in stews and sausages, horse meat is promoted as a nutrient-dense protein source.
🔹 Europe & Asia – In some regions, horse meat is considered a healthier red meat option, with lower cholesterol and fewer saturated fats compared to beef.

Here’s how 100 grams of raw meat compares nutritionally:

Nutrient	Horse Meat	Beef	Pork
Calories	133 kcal	250 kcal	242 kcal
Protein	21g	26g	25g
Fat	5g	20g	20g
Iron	3.9 mg	2.6 mg	0.9 mg

➤ Horse meat is lower in fat and calories than beef or pork but is higher in iron, making it appealing in cultures where it is traditionally consumed.

However, food safety risks—including unregulated medications and banned substances in horses—make it an unsafe option for human consumption in the U.S.

What Do Americans Do with Dead Horses?

In the U.S., dead horses are not typically consumed, but their disposal depends on state regulations, owner preferences, and environmental considerations. Unlike livestock raised for food, horses are managed as companion animals, which means their remains are handled differently.

Common Methods of Horse Disposal in the U.S.

• Rendering for Byproducts – Some horses are sent to rendering facilities, where their remains are processed into pet food, gelatin, glue, and other byproducts. However, this practice has declined over the years due to public perception and industry shifts. While it may sound surprising, horses were historically used in glue production because of their high collagen content, a key ingredient in adhesives. (Learn more about why horses were used to make glue.)
• Composting or Burial – Many horse owners opt for eco-friendly composting or private burial, where legal. State and local laws regulate where horses can be buried, particularly to avoid groundwater contamination. Composting, in particular, is a sustainable and natural way to return nutrients to the soil.
• Donating to Wildlife Reserves – Some horses are donated to wildlife conservation programs, where their remains support natural ecosystems. In remote areas and national parks, natural decomposition provides a food source for scavengers like wolves and vultures, contributing to the circle of life in nature.

While other countries process horse carcasses for consumption, the U.S. largely avoids this practice due to cultural, legal, and health concerns.

For a deeper understanding of cultural dietary taboos, including the consumption of horse meat, watch the following video.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Horse meat is a controversial and often misunderstood topic in the U.S. Below are answers to some of the most common questions people have about why Americans don’t eat horse meat.

Conclusion

The U.S. aversion to eating horses is deeply rooted in culture, law, and health concerns. Unlike cattle or poultry, horses are not raised for food, making their consumption not only socially unacceptable but also a health risk due to the medications they receive.

While horse meat remains a delicacy in some countries, in America, horses are viewed as companions, athletes, and working animals, not livestock. This longstanding perspective, combined with strict legal barriers and food safety concerns, ensures that horse meat remains largely off the table in the U.S.

As cultural views evolve and food security concerns grow, could the conversation around horse meat shift in the future? While unlikely, history has shown that dietary taboos are not always permanent.

What Do You Think?

Do you believe attitudes toward horse meat will ever change in the U.S., or will it remain a cultural taboo? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your perspective in the comments below.

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