Is glue made from horses?

Most modern glues do not contain horse or other animal by-products. Before the mid 1900's, glue contained animal components. Modern glue is entirely synthetic because it is generally a better, longer lasting and socially acceptable product.

The protein collagen, found in the connective tissues of all animals, was the original component of glue and adhesives. As large muscular animals, horses contain a large amount of collagen. Before the industrial revolution, horses were readily available and ideal for glue production. For the few animal-based glues available today, the collagen is collected from pigs and cattle that were already being butchered for other purposes.