Pre-slaughter conditions and related effects on welfare and meat quality of slaughter horses: a mini review

Vesna Božić Jovanović; Ružica Trailović; Nevena Grković; Ivana Branković Lazić; Nedjeljko Karabasil; Nikola Čobanović

doi:10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.32

Vesna Božić Jovanović University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia
Ružica Trailović University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8552-2187
Nevena Grković University in Belgrade - Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0205-3531
Ivana Branković Lazić Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5844-9278
Nedjeljko Karabasil University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6097-3216
Nikola Čobanović University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2650-6272

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/meattech.2025.66.3.32

Keywords: equid, horse well-being, horsemeat, lairage, loading density, transport

Abstract

In recent years, horsemeat has gained recognition as a valuable dietetic food due to its low caloric content, high-quality protein, rich vitamin and mineral composition and favourable fatty acid profile, making it a suitable alternative meat for individuals with anaemia, obesity, atherosclerosis, hypertension, organ diseases and compromised immunity. As with other livestock species, minimising pre-slaughter stress is essential for ensuring animal welfare and achieving high meat quality, as stress can result in bruising and/or other injuries. Therefore, the aim of this review was to provide insights into the pre-slaughter conditions in the horsemeat production chain and related effects on welfare and meat quality, which will in turn expand knowledge in this area and determine directions for future research. Throughout the pre-slaughter period, horses encounter multiple potential stressors that can compromise their welfare and negatively affect carcass and meat quality. These stressors can arise at various stages, including conditions at the point of purchase, loading, transport, unloading, lairage, stunning and exsanguination. Pre-slaughter welfare conditions are significantly affected by animal characteristics (age, gender, breed, temperament), the infrastructure at both the point of purchase and the slaughterhouse, vehicle design, environmental conditions and the quality of human-animal interactions. Since current recommendations on minimum floor space in transport vehicles are insufficient and also clear guidelines on optimal lairage duration for horses at slaughterhouses are lacking, further research is required to enhance horse welfare across the meat production chain.