I can assure you that, even in Quebec, the majority of Quebeckers are opposed to the transportation of horses for slaughter in Japan.
One of the most common arguments the experts have made is that it isn't the symbolism of the horse that's at issue here, but the very specific nature of the horse, since they are prey animals. Horses are prone to panic and get agitated very easily. I think any objective expert can agree with that. Horses have very specific physiological and psychological needs. This is about the nature of the horse and the fact that it's different from other animals.