This process is sometimes done before the horse is actually dead. Perhaps some of the problem here is in trying to attack to MANY issues at once. More than 125,000 horses are slaughtered yearly. Thousands of these were foals and healthy horses and many were exported for human consumption. Several things here are important to note.
Many religions condemn the eating of horse meat.
Even if considered a food source these animals deserve more humane treatment than this. If considered a pet then why are they not protected against these practices like our dogs and cats. Taxes on animals vary as to whether they are considered a pet or a food source. Horses exported for human consumption ARE NOT feeding the starving masses. If it does then DO something.