An amateur Swedish jockey is standing her ground after causing a furore online when she revealed she ate her own horse and “very best friend” Iffy Mant.

Helena Ståhl was advised to put down the horse by vets after the mare was severely injured.

Ståhl told Swedish news site The Local that she felt there was no other alternative as the “meat industry is going in the wrong direction”, and it was important to her to consume an animal “that had a good life”.

“I told my mother that if I could not eat meat from an animal that had a good life, I will never eat meat again,” she said.

The 24-year-old competes in harness racing and earns her living as a horse groomer and carer.

Iffy was put down in May 2015, but Ståhl only revealed her decision in a Facebook post in December.

She wrote “Either I ate her up, or so the worms did it”.

Ståhl expected the backlash that was to come:“I understand that it comes as a shock to some people. That some choose to call me disgusting and callous. I blame myself for provoking that.”

“Call me gross. You judge me. I haven't said that you must do as I, but we all have to do something! Start with thinking one step further. Take responsibility and take care of the ones you love the most!

Iffy mant, thank you for everything! You're my bravest star! My bravest princess! I will always love you!”

And as she predicted, many jumped at the opportunity to criticise her actions.