"I could a horse."

bja105 · #1 11/07/12, 05:35 PM

Maybe.

We got a pair of so-far useless horses, standard breds. The gelding has a big hard fetlock, twice normal size. It did ok pulling a buggy a short distance, but after riding him once, he was limping for a month.

He doesn't seem to be good for anything, so I think I should compost him, but take some meat for our eating. We know no medical history of this horse, except that we wormed him with Ivermectin when we got him in August.

I have been reading about Phenylbutazone, but I don't believe much of what I read about horse slaughter, people are too emotional. The one source suggested a 60 day withdrawal period for cattle after a certain dosage, but that is cattle, not horses. If this animal was given Bute, we don't know how much.

Should I eat it, or not? Any thoughts.

manfred · #2 11/07/12, 05:39 PM

I have no useful information for you but want to say I would certainly eat horse-meat.

ryanthomas · #3 11/07/12, 05:45 PM

Absolutely. I might wait a little longer than 60 days, but that's just me.

copperhead46 · #4 11/07/12, 06:22 PM

Find a bottle of the meds and it should give a withdrawal time on it.

TxHorseMom · #5 11/07/12, 06:33 PM

You could contact a slaughter house and ask them. There are regulations regarding horses for human consumption and drug withdrawl. I *think* 60 days is safe, but I don't remember the exact time. A Vet might know also.

Menglish · #6 11/07/12, 07:52 PM

The ivomec package states "Do not treat cattle within 35 days of slaughter."

KIT.S · #7 11/07/12, 08:40 PM

Yes, I've been threatening to get a free horse, too. Bratwurst, kielbasa, hamburger. We ate horse decades ago and my daughter ate it in Japan much more recently, and it was just fine. I think it would be a shame to compost the whole thing. I've wondered how much I could believe the owner about meds, though. It's unlikely I'd announce I was going to eat it before taking possession.
Kit

Dusky Beauty · #8 11/07/12, 10:02 PM

I love the lack of judgement on this board... while I have too close of ties to equines to eat horse in a non starvation situation, I totally get why people do. --- And I REALLY think highly of this community to not get their pants in a wad over something so controversial in the US.

I would err on the side of caution and go 60 days without medication on a butcher animal, just to be safe.

haley1 · #9 11/07/12, 10:14 PM

Ever eat at McDonald's?

rhaige9 · #10 11/07/12, 11:16 PM

Isn't there a ban on processing a horse for human consumption in the US? Pity if there is. I'm looking at all those N/H Positive halter babies thinking they really know how to bulk up a baby to eat.

HillRunner · #11 11/07/12, 11:26 PM

I think they recently lifted the ban in many states.

Farmers only worry during the growing season, but towns people worry all the time.

wr · #12 11/07/12, 11:27 PM

The issue with Bute is based on European markets demanding it not be present in horses intended for meat and if I'm not mistaken, they're requiring that it never be administered to horses indended for human consumption but the regulations are not fully in place yet.

I have a friend who has an equine feedlot and the general rule is to keep horses for 120 days before slaughter because at that point, even if a horse was wormed or administered drugs the day before they arrived, it would be through their system and allows them to ensure that the horses are healthy enough for humans.

pheasantplucker · #13 11/08/12, 05:01 AM

A friend of mine has been to both Mongolia and France and said horse meat is eaten regularly in both places. He tried it and said it was delicious.

bja105 · #14 11/08/12, 05:51 AM

I'm thinking about the logistics of this. I have no heavy equipment. I butcher a lot of deer, that I hang on a swing set, but that won't work for Mr. Ed.

Here is my plan, so far. Spread a pile of sawdust a foot deep. Lead the animal onto sawdust and shoot it. Cut out the backstraps. Cover with a few feet of sawdust. Add more sawdust if critters get in or it stinks. Next year, pick out bones and spread in garden.

My problems with my proposed method, it won't bleed out. Maybe that's not an issue. Some deer I get don't get bled, and they taste good.
I don't look forward to butchering on sawdust. I guess I could put a tarp down on the side I'm working. I once cut up a deer an a sandy river bank and had sand all over the meat, I don't want a repeat.
I don't have a way to drag the carcass onto the compost pile once it is down.

Whisperwindkat · #15 11/08/12, 06:17 AM

Lay a tarp or something over the sawdust or you will be cleaning sawdust out of your meat forever. Once the animal is down cut the jugulars this will help with bleed out. The cut the meat you want. Don't just take the back strap. Once you get the meat off one side the chain saw will cut the bones so that they can be moved off the carcass. Then you can at least get to the other hindquarter. Try to get as much as you can, working little by little to cut the animal down to manageable size. Once you are done, put the waste in the compost and then de-skin the meat and cut like you want. Blessings, Kat

mmoetc · #16 11/08/12, 06:23 AM

Butcher and move it like you would a large game animal. Break it down into moveable pieces and utilize as much of the meat as you can. I've packed a few elk darn near big as a horse over many miles of mountain. Just taking the back straps seems a little too wasteful. Smaller pieces will break down and compost quicker, also.

Bettacreek · #17 11/08/12, 08:09 AM

DON'T use a chainsaw if you plan on eating the meat. I've eaten veni roast that was quartered with a chainsaw and it was almost like eating small game taken with a shot gun. The bones splinter and are all through the meat! Just use a knife and work with the joints. I haven't done anything bigger than a deer, but I can't see why a horse cannot be done with just a knife, unless, of course, you want anything bone-in. Anyways, take more than just the back straps. That, or let me know and I'll come take the rest of the meat off of ya and help you dress it out, lol. I might be close enough, I'm by PSU, lol.

The hide would be neat too, if you felt like tanning it.

countrytime · #18 11/08/12, 08:35 AM

I agree with you Dusky Beauty--I have an old mare--she has arthritis pretty bad and was finally retired last year. Other than her arthritis she is very healthy, but probably wont make it pain free another cold winter. She will be buried here, but I would rather have someone use her meat after she is shot humanely, than anything go to waste by just burying her body. I would assume putting her down by injection from the vet would taint the meat. I LOVE this horse--she has served me and my children for a good number of years and gets the best care. On the other hand if she is going to be dead anyway why not feed someone? Oh--and I won't eat her--too many memories ....I just don't think I could eat a horse unless I was REALLY hungry. Nothing against others if they want to though.

SFM in KY · #19 11/08/12, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countrytime

I would assume putting her down by injection from the vet would taint the meat.

Absolutely do NOT use an animal that has been put down with euthanizing drugs by the vet.

KimTN · #20 11/08/12, 10:39 AM

A horse shouldn't be that much different than if you shot a moose or elk. Surely there is info on big game hunting and how to break down a carcase in the field. I would apply that info to butchering your horse. Fill your freezer. I'm sure that you have fed that horse a lot of feed, so get your moneys worth. Waste not, want not.