Our Story
The Missing Link for life™
In the early 1990’s our founder and Veterinarian, Dr. Robert Collette, was concerned by recurring health issues in his clients. Pets were coming in with chronic hip & joint pain, dry itchy skin, digestion issues and an overall lack of energy. He recognized that commercially processed kibble was not providing the nutrition needed for pets to thrive and thus created The Missing Link superfood supplements.
Since then food has come a long way, but the need for additional support is still very much needed. In honor of our founder, we continue to pioneer fresh, high-quality and effective solutions for a range of health needs your pet may have.
Discover our sister brands Absorbine equine products and Absorbine Pet Care for additional animal health solutions.
Our Sister Brand
ABSORBINE
Absorbine® offers the safest and highest quality horse care products for muscle and joint care, fly control, hoof care, grooming, and leather care as well as nutritional supplements.
Zoo and rescue Initiative
From a black rhino named Lucy at the Kansas City Zoo to a pack of wolves at the Wildlife Waystation in Los Angeles to a Maltese named EmmyLou in Ipswitch, MA, we’re bringing proven, healthy goodness to a wide variety of animals. We believe in giving back in the best way we know how – by providing the best nutrition to our furry and feathered friends, both domestic and wild. Check out how we’ve been able to help support the wellbeing of animals across the country – big and small!
ONE WOMAN’S VISION. AN UNSURPASSED LEGACY OF CARING FOR HORSES.
Humble Beginnings
Like many significant achievements, Absorbine® grew out of humble beginnings—and through the tenacity of someone willing to question the status quo. In this case, it was a young woman in late 19th-century Massachusetts: Mary Ida Young. Her husband, Wilbur Fenelon Young, was an enterprising piano deliveryman who relied on the couple’s team of horses to make deliveries throughout the Northeast.
A Better Way
In those days, if a horse developed lameness, a common treatment was “blistering” the affected leg using one or more caustic agents. The blistered skin caused increased blood flow to the treated area, speeding recovery of the injury. Mary Ida knew there had to be a better, more humane way.
In addition to caring for their horses, Mary Ida was an avid gardener and herbologist. Through her knowledge of healing herbs, she formulated a special blend of herbs and essential oils into a tincture designed to increase blood flow and speed healing—without painful burning or blistering.
Wilbur and Mary Ida started using her creation on their horses daily. They were so impressed with the results that they named it Absorbine® Veterinary Liniment, and Wilbur started carrying some on his deliveries. On one such trip to Syracuse, New York, he sold a whole case to trainers at a local race track. In a letter to Mary Ida mailed on his way home, he wrote: “I have had $42.80 worth of ‘Absorbine’ orders this month. Let the good work go on. Some day we will make this boom … Lovingly Yours, Wilbur.”
A Legend Is Born
Wilbur was right. Everyone loved this humane yet effective way to relieve sore joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Mary Ida had indeed invented a new treatment. They named their fledgling company W. F. Young — but it has always simply been called “Absorbine” by horse owners everywhere. The exact formula remains a family secret, but the results have been trusted by riders and trainers for more than a century.
Inspired by Mary Ida and Wilbur’s vision, Absorbine® has continued to add innovative products throughout the years — products used every day by horse owners around the world. Which is why, since 1892, we’ve been The Horse World’s Most Trusted Name.®