A recent study by Polish scientists has sparked interest in using horse milk for making ice cream. The researchers found that ice cream made from mare’s milk had a similar texture and appearance to traditional cow’s milk ice cream but with half the fat content. This experiment was driven by an increasing curiosity about the potential of mare’s milk in food production.
Following the study, journalists from various media outlets decided to investigate whether horse milk ice cream is palatable. They visited the UK’s sole horse milk farmer, Frank Shellard, to obtain samples and either made ice cream themselves or enlisted the help of an ice cream company. These journalists explored the taste, health benefits, and potential consumer hesitation regarding horse milk. Shellard, for instance, claims that drinking a glass of horse milk daily has significantly reduced his cholesterol levels.
However, these articles largely overlook a critical question: Should we even be considering new animals for dairy farming?
The Ethics of Diversifying Dairy Sources
The Polish study suggests that the growing health consciousness among consumers is driving the search for foods with high nutritional content, including mare’s milk. But why introduce another animal to the dairy industry when plant-based alternatives are already available? For example, fortified soy milk offers a nutritious alternative to cow’s milk, boasting similar protein content, lower saturated fat, and no cholesterol.
In addition to soy milk, companies are developing new plant-based alternatives. A New Zealand firm is working on legume-based dairy substitutes, while a Swedish company is using fermentation to create cheese-like products from legumes. These innovations suggest that instead of expanding animal agriculture, we should focus on diversifying crops and leveraging technology to create healthier, more sustainable food options. It’s worth noting that the world has lost approximately 75% of crop diversity over the past century, with 90% of our calories now coming from just 30 plant species. This lack of diversity poses risks to both health and food security.
Many articles addressing the Polish study mention the potential “ick factor” associated with drinking horse milk, given that it is naturally intended for foals, just as cow’s milk is for calves. Convincing consumers to accept horse milk might be as challenging as persuading them to eat insect-based foods. If the goal is to encourage healthier and more environmentally friendly choices, plant-based foods are a more viable option. Unfortunately, some media outlets have instead focused on generating alarm over “ultra-processed” vegan products.
The Risks of Turning Horses into Dairy Animals
Currently, Frank Shellard’s horse dairy is a small-scale operation with fewer than 100 regular customers. But what if horse milk were to gain popularity?
The dairy industry’s increasing demand for cow’s milk has led to more intensive and mechanized farming practices. Modern dairy cows produce twice as much milk as they did 40 years ago, often at the cost of their health. Conditions like mastitis, a painful udder inflammation, are common, and many cows suffer from lameness due to poor hoof care and prolonged periods on hard surfaces. To maintain milk production, dairy cows give birth annually, only to have their calves taken away shortly after birth. Although cows can live up to 20 years, they are typically slaughtered at around five years old, once their milk production declines.
If horse milk were to become widely popular, would we subject horses to similar conditions? There has been significant backlash against plans to farm octopuses for food, with many questioning the ethical and environmental implications. The same concerns should be applied to horses or any other species that might be turned into farmed animals.
Existing Exploitation of Horses
Horses are already exploited in various ways, and adding dairy production to that list would only worsen their plight. In countries like France, Mexico, and Japan, horse meat is consumed, with animals either raised specifically for meat or slaughtered after their racing or carriage-pulling careers end. In some parts of the world, including South America and Iceland, there are “blood farms” where pregnant mares are restrained and have blood drawn to extract Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotropin (PMSG), a hormone used in industrial pig breeding. Investigations have revealed significant abuse in these operations.
Horses also suffer in the entertainment industry. Dozens of horses die on UK racetracks each year, and the fate of many after retirement remains uncertain. Questionable training methods are common in horse sports, with some high-profile cases of abuse coming to light. Recently, a renowned dressage rider was banned from the Paris Olympics after being filmed whipping a horse during training. Other Olympic horses have also suffered injuries or abuse.
Introducing another form of exploitation, such as dairy production, would only add to the suffering these intelligent and sensitive animals already endure. The media has a role to play in not promoting or normalizing new forms of animal agriculture that could harm animals further.
