CBD For Horses

Did you know that you could give CBD products to your pets? Several studies have shown that CBD is not only good for you, but also for your pets of all sizes. The only thing you need to consider is the proper CBD dosage for horses to help achieve the desired results. In this article, we will take a look at CBD for horses, and how to administer it. 

Horse owners and breeders who have given CBD to their horses have offered positive feedback. While most veterinarians prescribe placebos and artificially synthesized medication, CBD could be a great alternative treatment for a variety of ailments.

CBD For Horses

There is little or no CBD for horse research but the available data shows that giving CBD derived from the hemp plant stimulates the horse’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) the same way it stimulates the human ECS.

The accounts show that horses can tolerate the effects of CBD without inducing any euphoric or negative side effects. Some of the specific ailments and conditions that you might consider giving CBD to your horses include:

• Chronic pain resulting from laminitis and arthritis
• Leaky gut and ulcers
• Anxiety during stall confinement, transportation, and shows
• Healing from an injury or surgery
• Obesity 
• Insulin resistance
• Cushing’s disease that causes oxidative stress on the immune system 
• Appetite regulation

Contrary to popular belief, hemp-derived CBD products do not have any THC. This means that you are well within the regulations on doping as enforced by the United States Equestrian Federation and the FEI. They even announced the results of a study in September 2019 showing the positive results for the use of cannabinoids. 

For this reason, it is unlikely that your horse will pass a drug test. However, some CBD products have traces of THC, and it is advisable that you discontinue giving CBD at least 7 days before a competition.

The Right CBD Dosage for Horses

According to the results of various CBD for horse research, the proper dosage will be determined by the weight of your horse. When buying CBD for horses, a reputable company will provide the right dosage on the label depending on the weight of the animal. However, it can be confusing.

For example, if you have a CBD tincture, you should see the number of milligrams of CBD in the bottle before you open. In addition, some CBD products are very diluted, so, you will need to study the label and ensure that it is specific and detailed. 

The label should have information about the CBD content per dose, whether the CBD is organic or not, and the percentage of THC. By law, CBD products should not have more than 0.3% THC content. This amount is not enough to give the horse any psychological effects and it will not show up on doping tests. 

If you have never, given your horse CBD before, ensure that you start with a small dosage and work your way up depending on the severity of the condition. It will take approximately two weeks before the horse starts experiencing relief.

For small horses, giving between 25 to 50 milligrams every day will be enough. For full-sized horses that weigh around 1100 pounds, give between 75 and 170 milligrams daily. For larger breeds, then giving between 120 and 200 milligrams will be enough to last them the day. The bottom line is that there is no standard CBD dosage for horses, and trial and error is necessary when finding the right dosage for your horses. However, dividing the dose into two is better than giving the full dose once every day.

How to Administer CBD For Horses?

When administering CBD to your horses, you need to figure out the best mode of application. You will need to know how long CBD oil takes to work to choose the best mode of application. Here are the several ways that you can administer the CBD to your horse:

Oral

There are several ways of administering CBD orally. You could add the CBD to the food, give the horse a CBD capsule, or give them a CBD gummy. However, it takes longer for the horse to experience the effects since it must pass through the digestive system. 

However, you could administer CBD oils and tinctures under the tongue. It will take effect much faster than when swallowed, but the effects do not last as long. You could also administer the CBD in the form of extruded, not the pellets that use binders. This way, you will provide improved bioavailability.

Sublingual

This mode of application involves the application of the CBD under the tongue and holding it there for at least 30 seconds. It provides good bioavailability and it takes effect much quicker than other modes of application. However, it is not recorded for animals since most droppers are made of glass and could injure them.

Topical Application

For this one, the CBD is applied directly on the skin and it is the best way to reach the affected or targeted areas. It will not only be good for the horse but to you as well.

Choosing the Right CBD For Horses

There is an overwhelming amount of CBD manufacturers and for this reason, you need to keep these things in mind:

Condition or Symptoms

This should be the first thing you need to consider. For example, if your horse has chronic inflammation, you may want to consider a product that you can apply topically. This could be a CBD infused balm or spray.

CBD Dosage

Since horses are large animals, you will need CBD products that are specifically designed for large animals. You could also consider getting CBD supplements that are formulated for horses.

Brand

Not all CBD products are created equal, and most brands are cutting corners to get their products to the market faster and at lower prices. For this reason, you need to ensure that you pick a well-respected and reputable company. This will ensure that you are getting high-quality CBD products that meet the mark and regulations.

Final Thoughts

Even though there is limited CBD for horse research, the available information is very encouraging and there are long-reaching benefits on the endocannabinoid system, and this will provide relief from physical and mental elements.