There’s good news and there’s bad news when it comes to hemp oil for horses. First, the bad news is that there are no completed studies regarding the benefits and side effects of CBD on horses.
Hold on though, the good news makes up for that. Studies are currently underway at Texas A&M, and we could have concrete results based on these by next year. So far, the findings are looking good, and existing anecdotal evidence does suggest they’ll stay that way.
This is what we know about CBD products for horses so far.
CBD and Horses
As a horse owner, it’s natural that you want to know ‘why’ and ‘how’ when it comes to your animals.
For starters, CBD is not psychoactive. Industrial hemp, aka Cannabis sativa, is the harmless and wholesome cousin of garden-variety marijuana, i.e Cannabis. It simply doesn’t have any THC in it, which is what causes all the trouble.
THC is usually toxic to animals, although cannabis was widely used to treat colic in horses up until 1935 with few side effects. It’s presumed that horses would have to eat a huge amount of THC to suffer any ill-effects.
It just makes sense to avoid using psychoactive cannabis for horses, when you have a safe and effective legal alternative.
How Does CBD Work?
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system. This complex arrangement of receptors uses CBD as part of the messaging system that regulates the body’s immune system.
That means the horse is physiologically capable of processing, metabolizing, and using CBD for healing. It also means that beneficial cannabinoids can affect the functioning of every system in the body.
This includes the digestive, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems of the horse.
Since most of the usual drugs prescribed for horses in distress or pain are chemically-derived, CBD for horses is a tempting option for horse owners all over the world.
The 2018 Farm Bill, approved hemp-derived products for agricultural use and since then, several horse owners have tried it out with resounding success.
Does CBD Help Horses?
Many horse owners swear that CBD is a safer alternative for treating their horses. They’ve tried drops, capsules, tinctures, and CBD pellets for horses as a treatment for all the below ailments.:
Anxiety and Hemp Oil for Horses
Let’s be clear that your first port of call when dealing with anxiety is to build trust in your horse. Working on your relationship with your horse is always better than a quick fix from a bottle.
Always seek out the services of a professional trainer to help you with this and consult your vet to ensure your horse’s anxiety isn’t caused by pain. If none of these options help, CBD could be the answer.
Clinical studies on humans have proved that CBD can diminish anxiety. Horse owners agree that their animals seem more relaxed when they include CBD in their feed as a calming supplement.
Pain and Inflammation
Pain and inflammation are symptoms of almost any ailment known to mankind. They’re also one of the areas where CBD is most effective.
CBD works to combat pain and inflammation by sending signals to the brain that calm and soothe these afflictions. In this way, horse owners can use CBD as an effective treatment for chronic conditions like:
- Laminitis
- Ulcers
- Arthritis
- Some cancers
- Abscesses
- Allergies
It’s also effective as a soothing panacea for injuries, stiffness, and even mild colic.
We can’t stress enough that you should always get a veterinarian’s advice when treating your horse for any ailment. They aren’t allowed to prescribe CBD for your horses but they can advise about whether it’s okay to try it out in your specific circumstances.
For example, CBD cannot relieve the life-threatening implications of a twisted gut, but it could help to soothe milder conditions, such as gas colic. We do not know enough about how CBD reacts with other medications yet to dish it out willy-nilly.
What Does Hemp Oil Do For Horses in Poor Condition
One of the lesser-known benefits of CBD for horses is as a nutritional tonic. It can help increase appetite in fussy eaters.
It also contributes to the overall well-being of horses, which means a glossy coat, lush mane and tail growth, and good, strong hooves.
CBD Dosage for Horses
Known symptoms of CBD dosage in horses include temporary fatigue, decreased blood pressure, dizziness, and diarrhea. These are easily remedied by adjusting your horse’s ration of CBD.
Veterinarians agree that horses need lower and less frequent doses of CBD than other mammals. While the overall portion may be bigger for a horse, the amount of CBD per pellet, capsule, or drop of hemp oil is what counts.
Always follow the directions for the specific CBD product you are using. Each product will have varying amounts of CBD per portions.
A general guide to the appropriate dosage of hemp for horses is approximately 0.25 to 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight.
This converts to:
- 25 to 50 mg for miniature horses weighing between 400 and 600lbs
- 75 to 170 mg for horses weighing from 660 to 1110 lbs
- 120 to 200 mg for horses weighing over 1110 lbs
Like any other food or supplement, introduce CBD into your horse’s diet gradually, preferably split into two meals during the day.
Knowledge is the Best Remedy for Your Horse
Reading up on topics like the benefits of hemp oil for horses is an excellent start towards ensuring ongoing health for your equine friend.
You also need intimate knowledge of each animal in your care. Some horses are pretty hardy, and might not show outward signs of distress before it’s too late.
Knowing your horse and the treatment options available to you is the best way to ensure a long and stress-free relationship with them.
