Horse slaughter for meat involves significant welfare concerns from transport through to killing methods. Policy approaches vary dramatically between countries.
Horse slaughter raises distinct welfare concerns because horses are typically transported very long distances from markets in the US and EU to slaughter facilities, often in poor conditions. At slaughter, effective stunning is critical but horses are reactive animals that are difficult to stun reliably in high-speed commercial operations. The EU requirement for medication records addresses food safety but also creates a more coherent framework for tracking and managing horses throughout their lives.