CBD is quite popular among the equine community. Below we shed some light on the commonly asked questions surround CBD and horses
What Exactly Is CBD?
Cannabidiol is known as CBD. It is one of more than 100 bioactive chemical substances, or cannabinoids, that the flowers of the hemp plant generate.
These elements each have special qualities. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that causes a “high,” must be present in concentrations of less than 0.2% in hemp, a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant.
In contrast, due of how it is metabolized, CBD doesn’t have this impact. Cannabidiol is non-intoxicating and therefore safe for your pet in contrast to THC. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for CBD’s effects on humans, dogs, and other animals (ECS).
The ECS is a complex network of neurotransmitters, receptors, and enzymes, according to scientists1, that aids in controlling vital biological processes like appetite, mood, inflammation, memory, sleep-wake cycle , as well as pain response.
Are horses safe to use CBD?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS), which serves as a regulatory system in the body to maintain homeostasis (balance) of many different areas, is present in horses just like it is in people.
The ECS regulates a variety of processes, including sleep, digestion, inflammation, appetite, immune response, mood, immune response, temperature, memory, and various other aspects.
Despite the fact that there haven’t been any studies specifically on horses, most research on both humans and animals has shown that CBD is non-toxic and non-addictive.
In fact, CBD is highly tolerated by both people and animals, even when given in higher quantities.
Diarrhea, tiredness, disorientation, and dry mouth are some of the more typical adverse effects of CBD in animals. All of these effects are modest in nature, and they often only happen when utilizing very high doses.
Advantages of CBD Oils for Horses
- Mane, tail, and coat are shiny.
What is the simplest approach to provide CBD products to horses?
The first horse-friendly product on the market is our hemp extract paste with CBD for horses. In our initial tests, it was difficult to hold CBD oils in the horse’s mouth long enough for absorption to occur. VetCS CBD horse paste is designed to remain in the horse’s oral cavity for absorption, and is most effective when administered before meals (with no food in the mouth). Our paste is administered to horses in the same way that other paste medications are: using a dial-a-dose syringe for simple administration. Our CBD pellets and powders are simple to incorporate into your horse’s daily routine because they may be combined with grain.
How Much CBD Should I Give My Horse? Dosage Recommendations
The most crucial question at this point is “How much CBD should I give my horse?”
Horses in particular are more sensitive to CBD than other animals. Horses require smaller and fewer frequent dosages of CBD than other animals, according to Dr. Luedke, a prominent authority on CBD for horses.
Horses require longer intervals between doses than other species, according to Dr. Leudke, and also appear to be more sensitive to the “per kilogram” dosing paradigm.
The way horses digest food may or may not play a role in their sensitivity to CBD. Horses are hindgut fermenters, which means that instead of digesting food like other animals do, they obtain the majority of their energy via fermentation.
Simple factors like “feeding too much grain, inappropriate ratios of forage and grain, or moldy forage or grain,” according to Kentucky Horse Research, may wreak havoc on the equine digestive tract. Horses may be more vulnerable to CBD because of this sensitivity.
So be mindful to start modest and gradually increase the dose when giving your horse CBD. You may monitor your horse’s progress by starting with modest CBD doses and adjusting the dosage once you start to observe results.
A lot of people start with the recommended dose of 40 mg and gradually increase it to achieve the desired effects. Dr. Juliet M. Getty states that the following dosages are ideal for horses:
- Minis (400–660 pounds): 25–50 mg
- 75 to 170 mg for full-sized (660-1110 pounds).
- Breeds of large size (1100–1800): 120–200 mg
Low-key start; move slowly
Weight-dependent CBD dosages for horses can be changed depending on the severity of the condition. As a general guideline, start low and gradually raise the dose over the period of a few days, weeks, or even months.
The ideal dose must be determined by trial and error. The effects of CBD can sometimes be felt right away, but in other situations, it may take a few weeks before things start to get better.
As you can see, CBD can be beneficial to horses and should be used for superior performance.
