Is collagen made from horses? Untangling the Truth About Animal-Derived Supplements

October 20, 2025 •

5 min read

Despite persistent rumors that circulated in grade school, it's a fact that some forms of high-quality, medical-grade collagen can be made from horses, typically sourced from tendons. However, this is distinctly different from mass-market supplements, and critically, supplements formulated for horses are not safe for human consumption.

Quick Summary

Collagen can be sourced from various animals, including horses for specialized medical applications. The most common forms for dietary supplements are bovine and marine collagen. It's crucial to understand that supplements intended for animals, such as horses, are unregulated for human use and can be unsafe due to different standards and dosages.

Key Points

Equine Collagen Exists: Medical-grade collagen is sourced from horses, primarily tendons and bones, for use in specialized medical products like wound dressings, not for mass-market food supplements.
Do Not Use Horse Supplements: Supplements made for horses are not regulated for human consumption and can contain unsafe dosages or ingredients, leading to potential harm or overdose.
Common Sources are Bovine and Marine: The most prevalent collagen supplements for humans are derived from cows (bovine) and fish (marine), offering different types and absorption profiles.
Support Natural Production: You can aid your body's natural collagen production by consuming a balanced diet rich in protein and cofactors like Vitamin C, zinc, and copper.
Hydrolyzed is Key: For better absorption, many supplements use hydrolyzed collagen (collagen peptides), which are smaller, more easily digestible protein fragments.
Vegan Options Boost Production: Vegan alternatives do not contain actual collagen but supply the body with the necessary amino acids and vitamins to help it synthesize its own.

Understanding the Origins of Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein found in the connective tissues of animals, including humans. It provides strength and elasticity to skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. The source of collagen in supplements is a significant consideration for consumers, with bovine (cow), marine (fish), and porcine (pig) being the most prevalent. The myth that glue is made from horses comes from a historical truth that some early glues were made by boiling animal parts containing collagen. However, the modern supplement industry is highly regulated and uses specific sources.

Is collagen made from horses?

Yes, in certain contexts, collagen is made from horses. Equine collagen is a recognized and valuable source, but its use differs significantly from common dietary supplements. Scientific research and biomedical applications utilize equine collagen, often extracted from tendons, for medical devices like wound dressings and tissue regeneration scaffolds. The equine source is sometimes preferred over bovine or porcine due to lower risks of certain zoonotic diseases and immune reactions. Recently, studies have also explored extracting collagen peptides from horse bones for potential nutritional use, noting its compositional similarity to human collagen.

Common collagen sources for human consumption

While equine collagen exists, the vast majority of supplements on the market are sourced from other animals. Choosing the right source often depends on dietary restrictions, specific health goals, and ethical considerations.

Bovine Collagen: Derived from the hide, bones, and cartilage of cows, bovine collagen is rich in Type I and Type III collagen, which support skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons. It is one of the most common and longest-standing sources of collagen supplements.
Marine Collagen: Sourced primarily from the skin and scales of fish, marine collagen is abundant in Type I collagen. Its peptides are smaller than those from bovine sources, leading to a higher bioavailability and absorption rate. Many people choose marine collagen for its perceived benefits to skin health.
Chicken Collagen: Extracted from chicken sternum cartilage, this source is rich in Type II collagen. Type II is the main component of cartilage, so chicken collagen is often marketed for joint support and arthritis relief.
Porcine Collagen: Derived from pigs, porcine collagen also provides Type I and Type III collagen. It is known for its high degree of similarity to human collagen, which is why it's also used in some biomedical applications.

Equine supplements vs. human-grade collagen

This is a critical distinction for consumer safety. Supplements formulated for horses or other animals should not be ingested by humans. The practice, sometimes driven by perceived quality or lower cost, is dangerous and ill-advised.

Here are several reasons why you should never consume animal supplements:

Different Nutritional Needs: Horses and humans have vastly different dietary and metabolic requirements. Doses of active ingredients in horse supplements are calibrated for an animal much larger than a human.
Risk of Overdose: The high dosages in equine products can lead to an overdose of certain nutrients or minerals, which can be toxic to the human body.
Lack of Human Regulation: Animal supplements are regulated by different agencies (e.g., State Veterinary Inspection) and to different standards than human food and drugs. They do not undergo the rigorous testing required to ensure purity, safety, and efficacy for human use.
Hidden Harmful Ingredients: Horse supplements may contain ingredients, like specific bacterial strains or higher concentrations of certain substances, that are safe for a horse but could be harmful to a human.

Vegan alternatives to collagen

For those who do not wish to consume animal products, vegan collagen supplements are an option. However, it's important to understand that no plant contains actual collagen. Instead, these products contain the amino acids (like glycine and proline) and cofactors (like vitamin C and zinc) that support the body's natural collagen production. Vegan collagen can also be created in a lab using genetically modified yeast and bacteria.

The role of collagen in a balanced nutrition diet

Regardless of the source, collagen is fundamentally a protein. A balanced diet, rich in high-quality protein and cofactors, is essential for maintaining your body's natural collagen stores. As we age, production naturally declines, and external factors like sun exposure, smoking, and poor diet can accelerate this process.

To support your body's natural collagen production through diet, include foods rich in:

Vitamin C: Necessary for collagen synthesis, found in citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens.
Zinc and Copper: Essential minerals for collagen formation, found in shellfish, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.
Amino Acids: Found in high-protein foods like poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and legumes, providing the building blocks for collagen.

If supplementation is chosen, opt for human-grade, hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are more easily absorbed by the body.

Common Collagen Sources: A Comparison


Feature	Bovine Collagen	Marine Collagen	Equine Collagen (Medical Grade)
Source Animal	Cows (hide, bones, cartilage)	Fish (skin, scales)	Horses (tendons, bones)
Primary Types	Type I and Type III	Type I	Primarily Type I
Key Benefits	Supports skin, bone, muscle growth, joint pain relief	Supports skin elasticity, hydration, wound healing	Supports wound healing and tissue regeneration (medical applications)
Absorption	Good, but peptides are slightly larger than marine	High bioavailability due to smaller peptide size	Highly effective for its intended medical purposes
Considerations	Not suitable for pescatarians or individuals avoiding beef/pork; potential for zoonosis (though low risk)	Suitable for pescatarians; avoid if fish allergy; potential for taste	NOT FOR DIETARY USE; used exclusively in regulated medical products

Conclusion

While the rumor that is collagen made from horses may sound like an urban legend, it holds a kernel of truth within the specialized fields of medicine and biomedical science. However, it is crucial to recognize that this is not a widespread practice for consumer-level food supplements, which typically use bovine, marine, or porcine sources. The most important takeaway for anyone interested in a collagen-rich diet is the firm distinction between supplements intended for humans and those for animals. Choosing human-grade, properly regulated products is essential for safety and efficacy. A balanced diet rich in protein, amino acids, and essential vitamins like C, can also naturally support your body's collagen production.

For more information on general nutrition and diet, visit The Nutrition Source at Harvard University.(https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/collagen/)

Frequently Asked Questions

Equine collagen, particularly from tendons, is used for medical devices due to its structural properties, biocompatibility, and low risk of certain diseases, making it a viable alternative for specialized applications. It is not common in dietary supplements due to lower supply compared to bovine or marine sources and some religious or cultural restrictions.

No, it is highly unsafe to consume supplements intended for animals. They are formulated for different metabolic systems and body weights and are not regulated for human consumption, posing a risk of overdose or exposure to harmful ingredients.

Bovine collagen comes from cows and provides Type I and Type III collagen, benefiting skin, bones, and muscles. Marine collagen, from fish, is rich in Type I and has smaller peptides, which may make it more easily absorbed and potentially more effective for skin health.

Vegan collagen products do not contain actual collagen. They contain a blend of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that serve as building blocks and cofactors to help your body naturally synthesize its own collagen.

Your body can produce collagen from a diet rich in high-quality protein and essential cofactors like Vitamin C. Supplements, often hydrolyzed for better absorption, offer a concentrated source of collagen peptides. The best approach depends on individual needs and dietary preferences.

Hydrolyzed collagen, or collagen peptides, is collagen that has been broken down into smaller, more digestible protein fragments through a process called hydrolysis. This smaller size allows for easier and more efficient absorption by the body.

Vitamin C is a vital cofactor necessary for the body's synthesis of collagen. Combining it with collagen supplements can help maximize the body's ability to produce and utilize collagen effectively.