Are Horses Used to Make Glue? The Truth Explained

Last updated: January 30, 2025

By: Miles HenryFact Checked

You’ve probably heard the phrase, ‘sent to the glue factory.’ It’s a haunting thought—but are horses used to make glue today, or is this just an outdated myth? This question has persisted for generations, despite major changes in glue production. Even today, many people still wonder if glue contains horse byproducts, likely due to lingering misconceptions in pop culture and outdated information.

As a lifelong horseman and licensed racehorse owner, I’ve spent years working with these animals—but I’ve always been curious about the origins of this belief. Why are horses associated with glue? Were they really used for glue production, and if so, how did that process work? More importantly, does this still happen today?

To answer this, I researched historical glue-making practices, modern adhesive production, and the economic and ethical factors behind animal-based glues. I also looked at why this myth still persists, even though synthetic adhesives have largely replaced animal-based ones. This article breaks down the history, science, and misconceptions surrounding horse glue—so you can finally separate fact from fiction.

Were Horses Really Used to Make Glue?

The practice of using animal parts, including horses, to make glue dates back thousands of years. Before synthetic adhesives, glue was commonly made by boiling animal connective tissues to extract collagen, the key protein responsible for binding materials together. Horses, along with other livestock, were a primary source of this collagen due to their large size and high collagen content (CAMEO Museum of Fine Arts).

By the 1800s, glue production had become industrialized, with factories often located near slaughterhouses to efficiently process animal byproducts (Animal Smart). These factories used the hooves, hides, and bones of animals—including horses—to manufacture adhesives for woodworking, bookbinding, and musical instrument construction.

Even today, traditional hide glue, which was historically made from horse and cattle hides, remains favored in guitar and violin repair for its strong yet reversible properties (Acoustic Music).

Although this practice may seem outdated, glue derived from animal collagen played a crucial role in art, construction, and book preservation for centuries. However, by the mid-20th century, synthetic glue had nearly eliminated the demand for horse-derived adhesives, making the practice all but obsolete.

Why Synthetic Glue Replaced Animal Glue

The glue industry underwent a major transformation in the 20th century as synthetic polymers replaced traditional animal-based adhesives. By the 1920s, chemists had developed petroleum-derived adhesives, which rapidly gained popularity due to their cost-effectiveness and superior performance.

This shift was driven by several key factors:

• Cost: Synthetic glues were cheaper to produce than animal-based glues, eliminating the need for labor-intensive collagen extraction.
• Consistency: Unlike traditional hide glue, which could vary in strength and viscosity, synthetic adhesives provided uniform quality, making them more reliable for industrial applications (Acoustic Music).
• Availability: Synthetic polymers were easier to mass-produce than sourcing and processing animal byproducts.

As a result, over 90% of commercial glue today is synthetic, primarily made from petroleum-based compounds. While hide glue is still used for specialty applications, such as restoring antique furniture and musical instrument repair, the demand for animal-derived glue has plummeted.

The decline in animal glue production led to a significant reduction in the use of horses for adhesive manufacturing. With the rise of these synthetic materials, the need for horse-based glue quickly faded, changing the industry forever.

How Glue Is Made Today: Synthetic vs. Animal Glue

Today, synthetic adhesives dominate glue production, accounting for over 90% of commercial adhesives. These glues are engineered from petroleum-based polymers through chemical processes that allow them to form strong, durable bonds.

Unlike traditional animal glues, synthetic adhesives do not require biological raw materials and offer advantages such as longer shelf life, faster drying times, and greater resistance to heat and moisture (Purdue Extension).

Where Is Animal Glue Still Used?

While animal-based glues have largely been replaced by synthetics, they still serve specialized purposes. Hide glue, for example, remains widely used in restoring antique furniture, assembling wooden instruments like violins and guitars, and high-end bookbinding. Because it is reversible and allows for disassembly, artisans prefer it over synthetic alternatives in restoration and precision craftsmanship.

How Animal Glue Is Made and Sourced

Unlike synthetic adhesives, animal glue is derived from collagen, primarily extracted from hides, bones, and connective tissues. However, it is not the primary reason animals are slaughtered. Instead, it is a co-product of the meat and dairy industries, meaning that glue production utilizes leftover materials from already processed animals (USDA).

Animal Glue vs. Synthetic Glue: Key Differences

Feature	Animal Glue (Hide/Bone)	Synthetic Glue (Polymer-Based)
Source	Collagen from animal skin & bones	Petroleum-based polymers
Longevity	Can degrade over time	Generally more durable
Cost	Higher cost, labor-intensive production	Lower cost, mass-produced
Environmental Impact	Biodegradable, sourced from existing animal industries	Non-biodegradable, derived from fossil fuels

Are Horses Used to Make Glue? Common Myths Debunked

Many people still believe that horses are used to make glue, even though this hasn’t been common for decades. But why does this misconception persist?

One reason is public perception and search data:

• The phrase “is glue made from horses” is searched 5,000 times per month, while “is glue made from cows” receives just 60 searches.
• This suggests that the association between horses and glue remains deeply ingrained, even though cattle are the primary source of modern animal glue (ScienceDirect).

This misconception is also fueled by our emotional connection to horses, which shapes the way people view them compared to other animals.

• In many cultures, especially in the U.S., horses are viewed as companions, athletes, and working partners, not livestock.
• This creates a cognitive bias known as speciesism, where humans assign different moral values to animals based on their perceived roles in society.
• As Humane Society International points out, horses often receive greater ethical consideration than cows or pigs, even though cattle remain the primary source of animal glue.

Pop culture has also reinforced this myth:

• References to horses being “sent to the glue factory” appear frequently in cartoons, books, and movies, keeping the idea alive.
• From classic literature like Animal Farm to animated comedies, pop culture has repeatedly reinforced the outdated idea that horses are turned into glue.

In reality, modern glue production relies almost entirely on synthetic adhesives. Even when animal-based glues are used, they come from cattle, not horses.

Why Horses Aren’t Safe for Glue Production

Utilizing horses for glue production poses significant health risks due to the unregulated substances found in their systems.

Key Concerns:

• Drug Administration: Horses are routinely given medications that are unsafe for human consumption. Phenylbutazone (Bute), a common equine pain reliever, is banned in food-producing animals due to its link to bone marrow disease and cancer risks.
• Lack of Regulation: Unlike cattle and poultry, horses are not raised under strict food safety regulations. This means there is no comprehensive tracking system for the drugs they receive, making their remains unsuitable for byproduct use. The Humane Society has warned that horse meat and byproducts often contain harmful drug residues (Humane Society Report).
• Performance-Enhancing Drugs & Supplements: Horses often receive steroids, stimulants, and blood-doping agents, especially in racing, making their tissues highly contaminated (Horse Racing Sense). Additionally, many horses are given joint supplements, muscle enhancers, and other performance-boosting additives that are not tested for human safety (Horse Racing Sense).

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has flagged horse byproducts as unsafe for certain uses, reinforcing the incompatibility of horse remains with glue production, (Toxicity of Horse Meat). Given these risks, it’s clear that horse remains are unsuitable for any industrial process requiring biological materials—including glue production.

The Ethics of Using Animal Glue

In contemporary glue manufacturing, ethical practices are emphasized through the following approaches:

• Co-Product Industry: Glue is produced from parts of animals that have already been processed for meat or dairy purposes, ensuring efficient resource utilization. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
• Specialized Applications: Certain industries, such as violin bow making, continue to use animal-derived glues due to their specific properties. pubs.acs.org
• Exclusion of Horses: Notably, horses are not involved in these processes; the animal-derived glues used are generally sourced from other animals.

As awareness of ethical sourcing grows, more industries are turning to sustainable and plant-based glue alternatives, further reducing reliance on animal-derived adhesives.

Are Horses Used to Make Glue? FAQs Answered

Conclusion: The Truth About Horses and Glue

While horses played a role in historical glue production, advancements in adhesive technology have made synthetic polymers the dominant choice. Today, animal-based glue—when used—comes from cattle, not horses. The long-standing myth persists due to pop culture references and emotional connections, but the reality is clear: horses are no longer a significant part of the glue industry.

What do you think?
Have you ever heard someone say that horses are used to make glue? Where do you think this myth started? Share your thoughts in the comments below!