The benefits of cannabis for dogs have been explored, and now scientists are discovering, since ALL mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), it could also be useful for horses. Although the benefits for horses have not been heavily addressed, CBD has been shown to promote homeostasis in the body, making it a natural option for many ailments.
How Can CBD Help Horses?
As we have discussed, all mammals possess an endocannabinoid system that is primarily responsible for homeostasis, or balance, in the body. Just like our dogs, the cannabinoids in cannabis, like those in CBD, can help resolve ailments from the inside out.
The research that has been conducted thus far can also be applied to horses. There has been extensive research completed on mice, cats, and dogs regarding how CBD interacts with the body. Of course, horses will need more CBD to get the same effect, but that's easy enough, right?
Research has shown CBD, or hemp for horses, can help with your horse's stress, anxiety, pain, mobility, immune health, digestion, and metabolism!
Digging Deeper into the Benefits of CBD for Horses
Let’s dive a bit deeper! Here are some ways that CBD can benefit horses:
1) Pain Relief
Horses, especially those that participate in athletic activities, are prone to injuries and chronic pain. CBD can help alleviate pain by reducing inflammation and interacting with the horse's ECS to regulate pain perception.
CBD has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and swelling in the body. Inflammation is one of the main causes of pain, and by reducing it, CBD can help alleviate pain in horses.
Secondly, CBD can interact with the endocannabinoid system in horses, which is responsible for regulating various bodily functions, including pain perception. The ECS comprises receptors located throughout the body, and when activated by CBD, they can help regulate pain perception.
Thirdly, CBD products for horses can help manage chronic pain by modulating the pain signals sent to the brain. This modulation can help reduce the severity of pain, making it more manageable for horses.
2) Reduce Anxiety and Stress
Horses can experience anxiety and stress from various situations, such as traveling, competing, or being separated from their stable mates.
CBD can help reduce anxiety and stress in horses by interacting with the ECS to promote relaxation and calmness. CBD oil can be given to horses before a stressful situation to help them stay calm and relaxed.
This could even be applied to farrier and/or vet visits if your horse experiences anxiety around their preventative care.
3) Promote Digestive Health
Horses are prone to digestive issues such as colic and ulcers. CBD can help promote digestive health in horses by regulating the digestive system's functions.
CBD can help reduce inflammation in the gut, improve appetite, and prevent digestive issues from occurring.
4) Boost Immune System
CBD can help boost the immune system in horses by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Inflammation is a natural response of the immune system to fight infections and injuries. However, chronic inflammation can lead to tissue damage and weaken the immune system, making the horse more susceptible to infections.
By reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, CBD can help horses recover faster from injuries and illnesses, thus promoting their overall health and well-being.
Is CBD Safe for Horses?
As horse lovers, we want to make sure our horses are safe. Fortunately, there has been research regarding the safety of CBD. And, just as a side note, keep in mind the list of "this product may cause x effects" at the end of a pharmaceutical commercial. CBD doesn't have that, but it could cause minor bouts of diarrhea in the beginning.
There were clinical trials involving dogs where scientists attempted to discover at which dosage level dogs would experience negative effects from CBD. That research found, even when a dog is given a dose that's 7 times higher than the horse's recommended dose, dogs didn't experience any type of adverse reaction to CBD.
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine also conducted their own study involving horses. The goal was to check for safety, mobility, and behavior changes in horses when CBD was administered. There were 20 adult Thoroughbred horses involved in the study, and they were observed for two full months.
Bloodwork was taken before the study began. Then, the horses were divided into two groups. One was a control group, and the other was the group provided with the CBD treats. The results of this study indicated that CBD had no adverse effects and was safe for horses.
This means you can put your mind at ease knowing you’re helping your horse remain in optimal health by providing CBD, like Rocket Horse Equine Hemp Pellets, daily.
Get Started with Equine Hemp Pellets
Getting your horse’s health back on track with the use of CBD is as easy as grabbing Rocket Animal Health’s Equine Hemp Pellets! Grab a container and feed your horse two scoops once or twice per day.
The hemp is combined with organic apple extract, allowing your horse to get a good amount of what they see as a yummy treat! If you’re currently training your horse, you can even use a handful as a treat rather than placing the pellets in with their regular food.
*Please note: CBD/Hemp is not allowed during FEI and USEF competitions. Please read the rules of your event or horse show so that you can stop feeding this supplement before attending.
Read More:
Preliminary Investigation of the Safety of Escalating Cannabinoid Doses in Healthy Dogs