There are several methods by which to discern a nation’s transcendence from the toils of industry into an age of pure consumer indulgence.

First, manufacturing and agricultural jobs are outsourced and replaced by an inflated service industry. Later, adolescents establish strapping wheels to a plank of wood as a fitting form of nihilistic rebellion.

Finally, retail stores begin supplying the masses with tiny ponchos, snow goggles, hiking boots and scarves for their furry companion of choice. Perhaps it can be said that society has refined itself to accept our zany, illogical infatuation with animals as something distinctly American.

Many other cultures undoubtedly scoff at our nation’s absurdly philanthropic treatment toward animals, instead accustomed to using such beasts for the more primal tasks of physical labor and, of course, food.

I recently had the pleasure of talking to an ASU exchange student from Korea, who argued that “animals are designed for human pleasure. It is their role on this earth to live and die for our benefit and enjoyment.” While such statements are likely to encourage infuriated outbursts from Sierra Club readers, it is important to remember to approach such issues from an understandingly anthropological perspective and restrain more radical urges.

While dogs and cats have long been infamous for their consumption in places such as China and South Korea, horse is a lesser-known delicacy of the foreign world, popular in high-end restaurants of France, China, Japan and (more surprisingly) French Canada. What may prove more disquieting to many readers is the United States’ active involvement in the international horse-killing trade.

SCM 1001 is a piece of legislation currently in the Arizona Senate that would legalize the commercial slaughter of horses for human consumption in Arizona. This was until recently legal in both Illinois and Texas, where unwanted horses (retired rodeo and show horses, horses that are injured or sick, or can no longer be ridden) were sold at auctions and then processed for sale and consumption in other countries. Representatives have also introduced similarly structured documents to 10 other states.

Proponents of the bill argue that, “The loss of secondary markets has severely impacted the livestock industry by eliminating the salvage value of horses and has significantly reduced the market value of all horses,” but arguably mislabels equines under the category of “livestock.” According to an editorial from Illinois’ State Journal Register newspaper, “Unlike domestic livestock raised as food, horses retain a fight-or-flight instinct that makes the trip to the slaughterhouse and the activity therein a harrowing and inhumane experience.”

But for animal lovers, there may be some hope on the horizon. HR 503, the Conyers-Burton Prevention of Equine Cruelty Act of 2009 was reintroduced to the U.S. Congress earlier this year with the hopes of ending America’s involvement in the horse slaughter trade once and for all. The bill would serve as a federal ban on “[horse] slaughter throughout the entire United States and prohibit the export of horses for slaughter.”

While I’m a long way from calling myself a vegetarian, horse is something I hope to keep off my menu — if nothing else, for that little child inside every one of us who always dreamed of a pony to call his or her own.

Hal’s liberal bias lies in the fact that he’s really a horse. Send him your thoughts (and carrots) at hscohen@asu.edu.