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EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority2025; 23(1); e9178; doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9178

Welfare of horses at slaughter.

Abstract: The objective of this Scientific Opinion is to assess the hazards and welfare consequences associated with the slaughter of horses for human consumption. The entire slaughter procedure, from arrival at the slaughterhouse until death, is divided into three phases: Phase 1 - pre-stunning, Phase 2 - stunning and Phase 3 - bleeding. Phase 1 includes the following processes (in chronological order): (a) arrival, (b) unloading of the animals from the vehicle, (c) lairage, (d) handling and moving to the stunning area and (e) restraint before application of the stunning method. Phase 2 encompasses the stunning methods, while Phase 3 involves the bleeding process (i.e. exsanguination following stunning). Stunning methods for horses include penetrative captive bolt and firearms. Welfare consequences that horses may experience (such as handling stress, restriction of movement and injuries) and potential hazards were identified for all the phases along with preventive and corrective measures. For arrival and unloading during phase 1, this Opinion refers to a previous EFSA assessment on the transport of Equidae. Animal-based measures (ABMs) to assess all identified welfare consequences are proposed. A flowchart of ABMs to assess the state of consciousness is provided to allow monitoring during the stunning and bleeding phase at three key stages ((1) between the end of stunning and shackling, (2) during neck cutting or sticking, (3) during bleeding). Additionally, specific practices deemed unacceptable on welfare grounds are listed.
© 2025 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.
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Publication Date: 2025-01-28 PubMed ID: 39877304PubMed Central: PMC11773340DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9178Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research aims to evaluate potential hazards and negative impacts on the welfare of horses that are being slaughtered for human consumption. The process is divided into three phases: before stunning, during stunning, and bleeding. Horses may suffer from various forms of stress and injuries throughout the process and the study seeks to identify these issues along with proposing possible solutions.

Phases of the Slaughter Process

  • The slaughter procedure is divided into three phases: pre-stunning, stunning and bleeding. Each phase includes a range of processes that may potentially impact the welfare of the horse.
  • Pre-stunning covers arrival, unloading, lairage, handling and moving to the stunning area, and restraint before commencement of the stunning method. All these can induce stress and potential injuries to the horses.
  • The stunning phase refers to the actual application of the stunning methods, which may include penetrative captive bolt and firearms. The incorrect application of these methods can cause undue suffering to the animals.
  • The bleeding or exsanguination process post-stunning involves the draining of blood which brings about the horse’s death. This needs to be thoroughly monitored to ensure quick and efficient execution to minimize undue stress or pain to the animal.

Welfare Consequences and Hazards

  • The study identifies potential hazards and welfare consequences at each phase of the slaughter process, including stress from handling, restriction of movement and potential physical injuries.
  • The arrival and unloading during phase 1 were already analyzed in a previous EFSA assessment, which focused on the transport of Equidae.
  • Animal-based measures (ABMs) are proposed to assess all identified welfare consequences. These would help keep track of the welfare condition of the horse at each step of the slaughter procedure.

Monitoring the Slaughter Procedure

  • A flowchart of ABMs is proposed to assess the horse’s state of consciousness at three critical stages: between the end of stunning and shackling, during neck cutting or sticking, and during bleeding. This ensures that the horse is unconscious and not experiencing any pain or distress during these critical processes.
  • The study also explicitly lists specific practices that are considered unacceptable due to their negative impact on animal welfare.

Cite This Article

APA
Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Boklund A, Dippel S, Dorea F, Figuerola J, Herskin M, Miranda Chueca MA, Nannoni E, Nonno R, Riber A, Stahl K, Stegeman JA, Thulke HH, Tuyttens F, Winckler C, Raj M, Velarde A, Candiani D, Van der Stede Y, Michel V. (2025). Welfare of horses at slaughter. EFSA J, 23(1), e9178. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9178

Publication

EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority
ISSN: 1831-4732
NlmUniqueID: 101642076
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 23
Issue: 1
Pages: e9178
PII: e9178

Researcher Affiliations

Nielsen, Søren Saxmose
    Alvarez, Julio
      Boklund, Anette
        Dippel, Sabine
          Dorea, Fernanda
            Figuerola, Jordi
              Herskin, Mette
                Miranda Chueca, Miguel Angel
                  Nannoni, Eleonora
                    Nonno, Romolo
                      Riber, Anja
                        Stahl, Karl
                          Stegeman, Jan Arend
                            Thulke, Hans-Hermann
                              Tuyttens, Frank
                                Winckler, Christoph
                                  Raj, Mohan
                                    Velarde, Antonio
                                      Candiani, Denise
                                        Van der Stede, Yves
                                          Michel, Virginie

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                                            Citations

                                            This article has been cited 2 times.
                                            1. Fletcher KA, Benedetti B, Limon G, Grist A, Padalino B, Hernández-Gil M, Gibson TJ. Pathophysiology of penetrating captive-bolt stunning of horses. Anim Welf 2025;34:e51.
                                              doi: 10.1017/awf.2025.10025pubmed: 40735425google scholar: lookup
                                            2. . Plain Language Summary of the Scientific opinion on welfare of horses at slaughter. EFSA J 2025 Jan;23(1):ep230101.
                                              doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.p230101pubmed: 39877306google scholar: lookup
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