Does anyone know of any UK sources of horse meat (either shops or mail order)? I absolutely adore roast horse fillet, but on my last trip to France there was hardly any available to bring back - 1 small fillet devoured within a day. Why should it be so hard to get hold of in this country anyway - do they just have a better PR man than cows?

I'm fairly certainthat you can't buy horsemeat in the uk, which is a xxxx shame, as it is absolutely fantastic. I really could eat a horse!!! I think the best bet is to locate a distributor in France or Holland (I heard they are bang in to it too) and bring it over. If you do find a UK distributor, please let me know.

Horse/Ponys are classed as pets in the UK like dogs and cats not agricultural animals like cows, pigs etc - that could be the reason why you can't buy horse/pony meat over here, I may be totally wrong on this point its just my thoughts, not that I am sorry by the way - I have horses and dogs and they are pets to me so definitely wouldn't eat them - but appreciate that others may find them delicious - I eat lamb, beef etc and don't feel the same about them.

The French Big Mac tastes nothing like it does over here, not that I am casting dispertions!!

Now Karen15 as a country person I have to say that horses are not classed as pets here, so to speak more comodoties or rather investments.
But as a food source lets face it just look at the size of a horse leg, just the one would keep you in protein for weeks.

Hi Light, I am also a country/rural person, but my horses/ponies are definitely not a comodity or an investment - just pets - like a lot of my country friends. But then I don't breed or buy/bring on to sell - that is a completely different ball game and one I would definitely leave to the experts in this field. Moving sideways slightly - I've been to France a fair bit - probably ate horse without even noticing it - oops LOL
Karen

You would notice it trust me it has a strange flavour, almost bland.

Hi Light, Definitely haven't eaten it then, it sounds quite awful - is it? Karen

Well I didn't like it, like I said its got a strange almost uninteresting taste if you can imagine!

Strange when you consider the amount of work a horses muscles do.

I can't believe you're describing it as bland. Tastes like beef but with an extra gamey, almost winey edge to it. Wonderful texture too.

Yes, but its horse meat something that is to say the least frowned upon in this country.

But frowned on by whom, and why? Does anyone know if there is any legal position on this (which would be hypocritical in the extreme given the trade in live horsemeat to the contineng), or is it just a lack of demand which means it's not available?

I just dont think its that popular, well not enough for butchers to get it in also it does not feature too heavily on restaurant menus either.

On the legal front I have not got a scooby so can't help you there.
When I was in France I tried it and found it very bland. Sorry.

Must have been the wrong sort of 'orse then Light. I don't know of any legal reason why horseflesh can't be sold as such in this country, just laws against it being used without it being declared as it was in a few salami's a couple of years ago.