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Carnivores in Equestria


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Carnivores in Equestria

                While the subject of meat eating has long been an unspeakable taboo in the realm of Equestria, it is by no means a nonexistent practice in Equestria, even finding modern persistence and resurgence today.

 

Species Sapience – a Sensitive Subjectivity

 

                When the three pony tribes had relocated and colonized the land known as Equestria, early relations with local indigenous tribes were often volatile and tense at best. Intertribal warfare between the three tribes being bad enough and interclass warfare between each species of pony helped cause further turmoil, especially noticeable during the migration to Equestria. Among the listed tribes, deer, moose and notably bison suffered considerable bloodshed and land loss during this period of colonization.

 

The grave atrocities and wanton disregard for life, committed by all parties involved later led to the ratification of a treaty, one sided as it was initially, towards the ponies who prevailed, to end acts of cruel violence and murder against other sapient races. How this standard of sapience applied would prove problematic, as negotiations with other carnivorous allies compromised the treaty’s effective enforcement.

 

Notably, griffon tribes have had a history of violence and carnivores that traced back since the beginnings of civilization. Centuries before the first formal negotiations had commenced between the major nations, the more savage griffin tribes and later persisting with some nations engaged in extensive warfare. Violence regarding griffins was not strictly limited towards equine tribes and nations. Indeed the griffin nations had a reputation for a particularly volatile predisposition, frequently warring with minotaur and changeling tribes among other groups.

 

Equine tribes and nations hold a particularly special relationship here, namely since traditionally horses and ponies themselves were considered a primary and traditional food source, along with related cattle and hooved ungulates. Perpetual conflicts often proved costly and as both Equestrian and griffin societies matured rapidly, more feasible and equally satiable alternative food sources were sought out. Less “civilized” segments of the griffin societies espousing barbaric and racist ideology, eventually became marginalized as globalization forced more open diplomatic ties with other nations. Likewise, more militant and hardline equine communities and individuals effectively became a much more muted minority as diplomacy and foreign relations became prevalent. Even the traditionally exceptionally volatile minotaur races over time adopted a more entrepreneurial approach, killing only the most blatant of offenders to cross their paths. Nevertheless; even now reports of missing trespassers in minotaur territories remains an infrequent yet persistent narrative.

 

Ultimately, the leading nations held a global conference that ironed out the modern existing practices. As a universal declaration, all members of the present nations and those beyond were recognized as equals and harm or murder towards any member of these or other sapient races was considered a crime against  civilization itself. However, universal recognition did not immediately come for all sapient beings, nor did the treaty have universal support, even among its signatories.

 

Among Equestrian societies, donkeys and especially mules still faced persistent prejudice, not gaining formal recognition until the modern civil rights movement of Equestria, forming a strong coalition with working class earth ponies, foreigners, and native bison and deer. Prolonged periods of labor shortages over the decades as well brought on by wide scale strikes forced the local leadership and eventually monarchs to act addressing these grievances. In turn a later “livestock rebellion” created more widespread reforms that granted full suffrage and equality towards many ungulates and races within and outside Equestria.

 

Indeed it is noted that among such protests, of note particularly was the Great Bovine Revolution brought about by the renowned Laughing Cow. What initially began as a seemingly benign hunger strike brought on by a rising trend of cow tipping, escalated into what became the great Ungulate Uprising, winning over the support of a broad coalition that included donkeys, mules, goats and eventually working class earth ponies and pegasi. Needless to say, the soaring costs of goods and services proved more fatal to Canterlot than any invasion could muster. At least one Canterlot royalty was distraught to discover that nearly every bakery had run dry of every pastry and sweet, save a surplus of petrified fruitcakes.

 

Despite a near universal cessation of outright predation and barbarism towards other races and nations, the practice of carnivorism remained largely persistent, even legal in the most vegan of societies such as those of the equines. Poaching remains a persistent black market trade, with unicorn horns , pegasi and griffon wings fetching high prices for the right clientele, similar to demands for exotic goods including manticore pelts and phoenix feathers and tears. Even the lowliest dragons have hide and bones that are said to yield at least a small lifetime’s fortune, far outweighing the mere cost of gambling a handful of lives for many.

 

Dueling while largely frowned upon and even strictly outlawed in many nations, persists as a cultural norm in many societies. Among these a handful of cultures not only tolerate but even sanction death matches. In more traditional and nomadic minotaur societies, a victor of a death match often consumes the carcass of his foe, and if the foe, either in fight or reputation, is deemed worthy enough would have his remains mounted and enshrined, forever honored and revered as a worthy adversary.

By some estimates, it is among the worthiest fates that a savory morsel can be bestowed.

 

Liberius Longfellow,

The Annals of Ancient and Advanced Animal Anthropology

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