Is horse slaughter illegal

Horse slaughter is NOT illegal in the United States, though certain states (such as New Jersey) ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The problem with using horse flesh for food is that saddle soap might slightly taint the meat. What IS illegal (by federal statute) is killing wild mustangs that were released in the US hundreds of years ago by the Spaniards. Some believe wild horses are an invasive species that foul springs and increase erosion by tearing up creek banks and destroying native habitats. However, there are tens of thousands more head of cattle and sheep being grazed for profit on public lands that do far more harm to the landscape than the relatively few wild herds left behind after the massive Bureau of Land Management roundups in recent years.

Although some states prohibit the slaughter of horses for human consumption, there is no federal law banning the practice. There are cultural taboos against the consumption of horse meat, which is why most horses slaughtered in the US are exported to other countries. Plus, since horses are not raised for human consumption like cattle, for instance, their diets are not free of drugs and feed additives that would be considered undesirable for the palette of European horse meat purchasers.