EquaVetz has moved from a niche Australian supplement maker to a science-driven equine health firm with investors from four continents, after securing a majority stake from the founders of global animal-health group VetzPetz.
Founder’s experience fuels new venture
Clare Oxley spent more than three decades working alongside thoroughbred trainers, veterinarians and owners, focusing on nutrition for private clients. She observed, “Over that time, I kept noticing the same gap – everyone was reaching for another product to fix a problem after it appeared, rather than asking how we could prevent it in the first place.”
In 2021 she launched EquaCare in Sydney, initially scribbled on a serviette, aiming to replace single-ingredient supplements with integrated nutritional systems that support long-term health, recovery and performance.
Racing Partnerships and Australian Innovation Guide Development
“None of that would have been possible without the relationships we’ve built across racing and equestrian circles,” Clare Oxley says. She cites trainer Chris Waller as an example of trust built over decades. That trust keeps product development grounded in training rather than marketing trends.
Oxley also notes that Australia produces some of the world’s best horses and can generate world-leading equine health innovation. She says the company’s work follows a prevention-over-treatment philosophy, now supported by scale and science. Backing from the VetzPetz founders gives the team access to VetPetz’s infrastructure, research capability and international distribution network.
The blend of trainer insight and VetzPetz’s research facilities lets EquaVetz test formulations quickly in active stables. Those trials feed data back into product refinement for future releases.
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Product pipeline and regulatory approval
The company’s regulatory scientist, Caroline Harvey, helped develop over 200 proprietary formulations, including 25 retail items. A Schedule 4 veterinary-only equine product received APVMA certification in 2025, marking the firm’s first government-approved medicine.
Private-label agreements now link the business with major retailers such as Pet Circle, PetStock, Horseland and Raw and Fresh, expanding its market reach within Australia.
Global reach and leadership changes
Since opening an Abu Dhabi office in 2022, the firm has established a foothold in the Middle East. VetzPetz’s distribution network already spans more than 12 countries, including Japan, Thailand, Europe and the United Kingdom, giving EquaVetz a clear path to Asia and Europe.
Dave Schelling, who brings over 30 years of agriculture and equine industry leadership, was appointed CEO to help steer the company’s growth.
Restructuring for scale
The private-label and product-development division was rebranded as VetzLabs, creating a dedicated platform for external brand partnerships and manufacturing. This move separates custom mixes from the core portfolio.
The custom-mix segment now operates as Stable Performance Systems, offering structured nutrition models for trainers, studs and professional racing stables, reinforcing the company’s focus on performance outcomes.
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