Horses are majestic creatures that seem to have their own personality, much like humans. They are also like humans in that they have an Endocannabinoid System(ECS) as we do. And, like humans, the best CBD products for horses can provide health benefits by working through their ECS.
To save you time and frustration we have done a lot of research to find the best CBD products for horses that are available on the market today.
What is Cannabidiol?
Cannabidiol, more commonly known as CBD, is a compound that is found naturally in the cannabis Sativa. For the most part, the CBD that we know and use is derived from the hemp species of the plant.
In recent years, CBD has been touted by many as a ‘boy scout’ molecule because research is showing that it always seems to do the right thing in whatever situation it finds itself. This is probably the reason why CBD is thought to provide help with so many different health ailments and conditions. More research continues on the health benefits of CBD so we will gain a better idea of its short and long-term benefits as time goes on.
CBD works in conjunction with what is called the Endocannabinoid System(ECS) in our bodies. The ECS has only recently been discovered and more research is being conducted to determine the various functions that this system plays in our day-to-day health and well-being.
So far, researchers believe that the ECS plays an important role in things such as appetite, pain perception, temperature regulation, sleep, and more. CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid System through receptors known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. This is how CBB is utilized by our bodies and is able to provide the benefits that it does.
We have written more extensively on this topic and encourage you to continue your research about CBD.
Is CBD for Horses Legal?
The legality of CBD has become a hot-button topic over the past few years. It is not regulated by the FDA currently which has led to further confusion and misunderstanding within the industry as well as the general public.
On a Federal level, CBD has been made completely legal because of the 2018 Farm Bill that was passed. That’s all well and good but unfortunately, it is not quite that cut and dry.
Even though the 2018 Farm Bill made CBD legal on the Federal level each individual state law actually takes precedence. This means that each individual state does have the ability to prohibit hemp or hemp-derived products from being made or sold in their state.
Can My Horse Have CBD if It’s Involved in Competitions?
The simple and straightforward answer to this is, no. The National Governing Body for Equestrian sport is known as the United States Equestrian Foundation(USEF). In May of 2019, they released a statement saying that any positive tests for CBD would result in a GR4 violation.
So any horse that is ‘competing under USEF rules who test positive for natural cannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and other cannabimimetics will be considered in violation of GR4’. It’s unfortunate that these horses are not permitted to experience the benefits of CBD while in competition but whether you agree with it or not the rules seem clear and concise.
How Can CBD Help Horses?
To our knowledge, there have been very few, if any, clinical studies of CBD specifically relating to horses. What you will find is a lot of people who will personally testify to the effectiveness of CBD for their horses. This can be for a wide range of things. These are some health conditions that have been impacted through CBD use in horses:
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Reduce stiffness
- Help with digestion
- Increase appetite
- Help with coat, mane, and tail health
- Reduce stress and anxiety
Overall, many owners who use CBD for their horses have reported a general increase in the physical, mental and emotional health of the horse. Now, can you put an actual measurement on some of these things? No, you can not. But if you have had a horse for a while you know it’s like part of your family. You can get a very understanding of how it’s feeling and notice any changes in its personality and behavior.
Difference Between CBD for Humans and CBD for Horses?
There isn’t any actual difference between the CBD that is used for humans or horses. The CBD is the same. What you will find that is different is the amount of CBD that the horse product contains. Horse formulas are often a more concentrated dose and will be packaged in a way that will make it easier to give them a larger dose.
Because of the sheer mass of a full-grown horse, they will obviously require more CBD for you to be able to achieve the maximum health benefits for your horse.
How Much CBD Should I Give my Horse?
Once you have decided on the best CBD product for your horse the next step is figuring out the proper dose of CBD for your horse. This can be difficult as it can depend on the horse and depends on the product you are using.
Our recommendation is to start by following the recommendation of the CBD product that you are using. The CBD per serving will vary among CBD products depending on the amount of CBD in the entire product.
For a full-grown horse, we have seen manufacturer recommendations of up to 250mg of CBD per day. The amount of CBD in each serving will depend on how many servings you would need to administer to get to 250mg of CBD.
We recommend starting on the low side of the total CBD recommendation to start with. You can always safely increase the amount of CBD per day as you see how your horse responds. We also recommend breaking up the total amount of CBD as opposed to giving it all at one time. It seems to have a more prolonged and steady impact throughout the day.
Are There Side Effects for Horses?
If you follow manufacturer recommendations there will not be any harmful effects of giving CBD to your horse. The most important thing is to make sure you do not overdo it, to begin with.
When first beginning a CBD regimen with your horse it’s important to pay close attention to its behavior. If you notice your horse seeming lethargic, depressed or agitated you will want to contact your Veterinarian to further discuss these symptoms. You should also pay close attention to make sure they do not have a decreased appetite. These symptoms have been reported in some horses.
Something you should consider is the amount of THC you are giving your horse. THC is a compound found in cannabis plants that is responsible for mind-altering effects. The best CBD for horses will contain 0.3% of THC or less. At this level of THC, your horse will not feel any psychoactive effects from the THC.
How to Pick the Best CBD for Horses
Find a CBD Brand That You Trust
Finding the best CBD products for your horse should start with finding the best CBD brands. Because CBD is not regulated on a federal level we have seen the rise of some shady companies and poor CBD products. Some of these companies have marketed CBD products that do not contain ingredients that match up with their claims.
Your horse is an important part of your family. We highly recommend that you do not compromise on buying CBD from a brand that has not been proven.
Third-Party Lab Testing
Any CBD product that is best for your horse should go through third-party lab testing. This is so important because, as we mentioned, there have been CBD companies falsely advertising their products. This is not only dishonest but it can be dangerous as well.
When looking for the best CBD products make sure the products are being tested by a third party and that you have access to the lab results. Ideally, these results will be posted online for easy access by you and for anyone else looking to verify the safety of their products.
Price
We know you love your horse and want what’s best for it but that doesn’t mean you should overpay. If all other variables were equal between CBD products then it only makes sense to go with the one that offers the most value.
Once you narrow it down to a few brands or products you can then more easily make direct comparisons based on the price of each. If it’s a similar product, such as CBD oil for horses, you can directly compare the cost per mg of CBD to see which one offers a better value.
Ingredients
As part of your search for the best CBD products for horses, you need to understand everything that is in it so you know what you are giving to your horse. There are high-quality CBD products for your horse that contain natural ingredients that you know are going to be safe.
Don’t take anything for granted. Please be sure to review the ingredients to make sure you feel comfortable and safe in giving it to your horse.
Is CBD Right for My Horse
As long as your horse does not participate in sanctioned competition you can consider giving CBD to your horse to help with your horse’s overall health and to help to control any chronic ailments. There have been many testimonies from horse owners about how some of the best CBD products have helped their horses.
There is a lot to gain by taking the step of giving CBD to your horse. The best CBD products for horses won’t have negative side effects as long as you give them in proper doses. Your horse does stand to benefit greatly from the use of CBD.
You know your horse best. Monitor your horse closely and when you do start a CBD regiment take note of any changes and how your horse reacts. This will help you tailor the proper CBD dose so you can best help your horse.
As always you should talk to your veterinarian before starting your horse on CBD. You may find that some veterinarians are not keen on using CBD for horses. A holistic veterinarian may be a good option to discuss it with as well.
Is CBD safe for horses?
CBD is generally considered to be safe for humans and the same holds true for horses. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for how often you give CBD and how much you give to your horse.
Will my horse experience negative side effects from cBD?
If you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for administering CBD then it’s likely your horse will not experience negative side effects. Especially when first beginning CBD for your horse it’s important to monitor its behavior to see if your horse seems lethargic or depressed or agitated.
can I give CBD to my horse if it is involved in competitions?
In 2019 the National Governming Body for Equestrian sport released a statement against CBD saying that any positive tests for CBD would result in a GR4 violation.
How to I determine the dosage size for my horse?
The best place to start is the dosage recommendations from the CBD that you have chosen. They will lay out the recommended dosage amount based on the size and weight of your horse. Once your horse becomes accustomed to CBD you can make adjustments from there as necessary.
What are some of the benefits of giving cBD to my horse?
CBD may help horses in very similar ways that it helps humans. It may help to reduce pain and inflammation, reduce stiffness, and even help your horse seem less anxious by reducing stress. In addition, CBD may help your horse’s coat, mane, and tail.