Guide · Free from
Free from – what doesn’t belong in horse care
If you read the back of a horse care product tube, you’ll often find more than the horse needs: colourants for visual appeal, fragrances for the human nose, animal fats used out of tradition – and sometimes chemicals so harsh that hazard symbols must be displayed on the packaging. This guide explains why a pure formula deliberately avoids these ingredients.
In brief
Many horse care products contain additives that aren’t meant to benefit the horse’s skin, but rather to make the product stand out on the shelf: colourants, fragrances, animal-derived ingredients and harsh chemicals. A pure formula does away with all of that. The equion Hoof & Skin Gel is free from fragrances and colourants, contains no animal-derived ingredients and contains no acids or harsh chemicals – no hazardous-substance labelling under the CLP Regulation is required.
Key findings
- Fragrances and colourants serve no necessary care function.
- Animal-derived ingredients are unnecessary for a modern gel formulation.
- Daily, gentle care relies on consistency rather than harsh intensity.
- The label lists the ingredient groups and any warnings included.
On this page
Formula inspection 01
Four ingredient groups. A clear evaluation process.
The ‘free-from’ claim becomes concrete when you systematically examine the label, the ingredients list and the product itself.
Checkpoints
- 01
- ColourNo CI colourants
- 02
- FragranceNo perfume / fragrance
- 03
- OriginNo animal-derived ingredients
- 04
- LabellingNo CLP hazard labelling
Understanding the category
Why ‘free from’ at all?
Horse care products are sold to people but applied to horses. This tension gives rise to many unnecessary ingredients: a rich green or purple colour signals ‘effectiveness’ to the buyer, while a fresh scent signals ‘care’. Neither of these signals means anything to the horse. Yet the horse still has these substances applied to its skin and coat – often daily and for years on end.
There is also a second pattern: some products demonstrate their potency through aggressive chemicals and acids – as indicated by hazard symbols and warning labels on the packaging. While they appear ‘strong’ in the short term, they can pose a potential risk to the skin, the user and the environment in the long term.
‘Free from’ is therefore not a blanket marketing label, but a specific formulation decision. What matters is which group of substances is explicitly excluded and whether this claim can be verified from the ingredients list or labelling.
The overview
Four substance groups, four clear decisions
- 01
Free from colourants. Colourants (dyes) make products recognisable to humans. On a horse’s skin, they make it difficult to assess a specific area, can stain the coat, hands and equipment, and contribute nothing to the care itself.
- 02
Free from fragrances. Fragrances are among the most common contact allergens in care products. Horses also have a much more sensitive sense of smell than humans. Fragrance in horse care products is intended solely for the human nose.
- 03
Free from animal-derived ingredients. Wool wax, tallow and marmot fat have long been traditional ingredients in the stable first-aid kit. Modern gel formulations do not require these animal-derived raw materials.
- 04
Free from harsh chemicals. Acids and harsh chemicals leave their mark – on the skin, on the label and on the environment. Gentle skin care focuses on continuity rather than stripping the skin.
Practical knowledge
How to recognise a pure formula
Three questions to ask yourself for every care product on the shelf.
- 01
The label: Are there any hazard symbols or warning labels on the packaging? A skin care product for daily use should ideally not carry any.
- 02
The ingredients list: Do you see ‘Parfum’ or ‘Fragrance’, CI colour numbers such as ‘CI 42090’, or animal fats like lanolin and tallow? If so, the corresponding groups of substances are present.
- 03
The product test: Does the product stain noticeably, does it have a strong perfume scent, or does the labelling require special protective measures? These are signs that you should take a closer look.
Powerful. Gentle. Pure.
The equion way – purity as a principle
‘Pure’ means: free from fragrances and colourants, with no animal-derived ingredients. Nothing in the tube that doesn’t belong there. ‘Gentle’ means: free from acids and harsh chemicals. ‘Powerful’ means: the gel soothes and revitalises the skin – day after day, 1–2 times a day. Its power comes from consistency and a well-balanced formula.
We use ingredients free from harsh chemicals that are effective, gentle on the skin and easy to apply. equion contains no animal-derived ingredients. The formulation is carefully balanced – for skin compatibility and daily use.
equion is manufactured in facilities qualified to ISO 22716, the production standard for human cosmetics. Filled in medical-grade packaging. Manufactured in Germany under licence. Horses deserve the same standard.
Clear answers
Frequently asked questions
01Is ‘free from’ just a marketing term?
No – what matters is what is specifically claimed. Reputable ‘free from’ claims name individual groups of substances, such as ‘free from fragrances and colourants’, and can be verified by checking the ingredients list. Blanket promises without reference to the formulation, on the other hand, are not very meaningful.
02How can I identify fragrances and colourants in the ingredients list?
Fragrances are usually listed as ‘Parfum’ or ‘Fragrance’, while colourants are listed as CI numbers, for example ‘CI 42090’. If neither is listed, the product is generally free from them.
03Are the ingredients in equion natural?
equion products use scientifically established ingredients free from harsh chemicals – free from fragrances and colourants. Suitable for horses prone to allergies.
04Why do some care products have hazard symbols on them?
Hazard symbols are required when a product contains substances in concentrations that are classified, for example, as irritating, corrosive or hazardous to aquatic life. For the equion Hoof & Skin Gel, no hazardous-substance labelling under the CLP Regulation is required.
05Is gentle care enough?
Gentle doesn’t mean weak: equion soothes and revitalises powerfully – without acids or harsh chemicals. Power comes from consistency: apply a thin layer 1–2 times a day.
Power through consistency
See for yourself – in the 10 ml size.
The sample shows you just how powerful gentle care can be. No acids, no fragrances and no colourants. Made in Germany.
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