CBD FOR HORSES

Many owners are turning to CBD for horses for all the amazing benefits it offers. Just like humans, horses have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). CBD oil to interact with this system and releases its anti-inflammatory, relaxing and analgesic properties. The extract from the hemp plant is used particularly often to relieve pain and anxiety in horses. In addition, there are experience reports that suggest that cannabidiol can also be helpful in the Cushing and headshaking syndrome. CBD is a dietary supplement, not a drug. Therefore, we don’t make any medical claims about the product. Every horse owner decides for himself what potential CBD oil has in store for animals. However, we can easily rule out the dependencies or intoxicating effects that we often see in an over-the-counter product.

CBD for horses: Can CBD Oil Help Horses?

Studies primarily focus on the effects of CBD on humans. Other mammals such as horses, cats and dogs also have their own endocannabinoid system, which may interact with CBD oil. The receptors CB1 and CB2, which can be detected everywhere in the body, play a special role. For example, they are found in the digestive tract, brain, nervous system and organs. Even the skin and tissues contain CB1 and CB2 receptors.

Ingested CBD oil connects with the endocannabinoid system of the horses, which is supposed to regulate body functions in a positive way. Mammals with an endocannabinoid system are also able to produce cannabinoids themselves. However, some researchers suspect that the amount self-produced is not always enough. Perhaps externally supplied CBD oil could help in this case. However, specific studies on horses are still pending, so that the said effects are based primarily on experience reports and studies carried out on humans.

Cannabidiol for horses: effects at a glance

The World Health Organization (WHO) has taken a closer look at cannabidiol. The extracts from the hemp plant should therefore have the following positive properties:

• Antibacterial
• Antidepressant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antispasmodic
• Anti-tumor
• Anxiety-relieving
• Neuroprotective (protecting nerve cells)
• Pain reliever

CBD oil (hemp oil): the new miracle cure for horse health?

First of all, it must be emphasized at this point that CBD oil is not a miracle cure. It doesn’t cure serious chronic diseases overnight. However, cannabidiol is said to be able to relieve physical and psychological complaints in horses. Horse owners use appropriate products for the following problems:

Anxiety

Horses are escape animals. They react very quickly to certain external stimuli or to potentially dangerous situations. Quite a few horses, however, suffer from pronounced anxiety states. This fear can escalate into panic if the animals feel overwhelmed. The panic situation triggers an alarm condition in the body, which, if it occurs frequently, can damage health in the long term. According to experience reports, CBD oil can have a calming effect on the horse’s body.

Inflammation

Inflammation is an important indicator that something is wrong in the body. If inflammation processes persist, they can have a lasting impact on health. According to one theory, CBD is said to bind to the CB1 receptors in the brain and positively influence inflammatory processes. The responsible receptors should activate the immune system in order to stop the negative processes in the body. One study looked at the subject of dogs and arthritis, and CBD was already quite convincing here.

Pain

Pain can have many causes and faces. They are often triggered by chronic illnesses, accidents or operations. Horse owners are then often faced with the task of giving their animal medication for many years, which can be associated with side effects. CBD oil could reduce the transmission of pain and help in the fight against the excruciating symptoms. Scientific studies on humans have already gathered initial indications in this regard.

Hemp for horses with Cushing’s syndrome

Equine Cushing Syndrome (ECS) is the most common hormonal disorder in horses. The disease primarily affects older horses and ponies. Around every fifth horse that is 15 years or older suffers from ECS. However, we can’t rule out that younger horses may also develop it. Signs of the disease are coat change disorders and the so-called laminitis, which is associated with inflammation.

There is no cure for Equine Cushing Syndrome. However, there are several treatment options available. In addition, some horse owners use CBD oil. The extract from the hemp plant is supposed to support the function of the skin and thus the horses when changing their coat. In addition, CBD oil is said to make a contribution to hoof health.

CBD oil for horses with headshaking syndrome

Headshaking syndrome is also a name for a horse disease. The animals make a restless impression and suddenly throw their heads up, especially when riding. Another sign is that they are rubbing their nostrils on their front legs. Symptoms also include incessant head shaking and frequent snorting.

Attempts to explain it are based on the assumption that chronic pain may trigger headshaking syndrome. In this case, CBD oil could be helpful. In addition, according to experience reports, CBD oil is said to have a calming effect on affected horses and help to get the signs under control. However, there are no studies on this yet.

Experience with CBD oil for horses

Horse owners share their successes with CBD oil as part of experience reports. However, these are initially subjective impressions from which no promises can be derived. Nevertheless, they give hope that natural extracts can combat various ailments.

It is particularly often reported that CBD oil could successfully treat pain and anxiety. Occasionally, experience reports are also shared in which horse owners report the effects on Cushing and headshaking syndrome. Ultimately, every horse owner has to find out for himself whether cannabidiol can help his horse.

A report by American researchers from 2016 is worth reading. Here pet owners were asked about their experiences with corresponding plant extracts. An analgesic and sedative effect was observed by the participants.

The Dosage of CBD for horses

In humans and animals, CBD oil should always be dosed individually. There is no uniform dosage recommendation. First of all, it is advisable to work with a low dosage. Both body weight and the severity of the symptoms should be taken into account. If the symptoms persist, but the previous dosage is well tolerated, owners can increase the amount of CBD. Horse owners can use the following guidelines as a guide:

Complaints	Normal dosage	Increased dosage
Colic, loss of appetite, restlessness, chronic pain, arthritis, muscle cramps, ulcers, vomiting	0.25 mg / kg body weight	0.5 mg / kg body weight

How to administer?

Horses can benefit particularly well from the potential effect if the CBD oil is given directly into the mouth – preferably under the tongue. The valuable ingredients can then be absorbed through the mucous membrane. This is particularly easy with a dropper pipette, which can also be used for precise dosing.

Not every horse can instill it in the mouth without problems. Then it makes sense to buy appropriate CBD horse pellets or to add the CBD oil to the feed.

Side effects of CBD on Horses?

CBD oil is considered well tolerated and safe. However, we can’t rule out some side effects. It has been observed that cannabidiol has caused drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mucous membranes in some cases, especially overdose. However, there are no serious side effects of CBD. Since horses can also have problems metabolizing terpenes, indigestion can occur. In this case, pet owners should resort to CBD isolate as it does not contain terpenes.