Important Information About CBD Oil For Horses

Cannabinoids (CBD) are substances which can be sourced from medicinal hemp plants. The hemp plant contains more than a hundred different sorts of cannabinoids, and all of them have beneficial health properties.

Hemp plants also contain compounds known as terpenes. These compounds can be found in fruit and some herbs also. Terpenes are responsible for the scent of the plant’s oils and of the plant itself.

Cannabinoids and terpenes work together to provide maximum health benefits that can address a wide variety of conditions in all living things. These versatile, useful plants also contain a wealth of antioxidants.

The healing compounds of the hemp plant are, for the most part, found in the leaves and the flowers.

For this reason, cultivation of medicinal hemp plants focuses on enhancing bud and leaf growth so that the greatest amount of CBD, terpenes and antioxidants can be reaped.

How Does CBD Oil Work?

How Does CBD Oil Work

All creatures are equipped with an endocannabinoid system which is made up of receptors distributed throughout the body for the purpose of receiving these natural, medicinal compounds.

It seems that the bodies of living animals (humans included) are innately able to utilize, metabolize and process these healing substances.

Because the cannabinoid system is found throughout the body, cannabinoid oil has the potential to heal many different aspects of the body, including:

  • Musculoskeletal system
  • Central nervous system
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Respiratory system
  • Digestive system
  • Immune system
  • Brain

It’s easy to see that adding CBD oil to your horse’s daily regimen could be extremely helpful for a wide variety of ills. Alternately, it can act as a very valuable daily tonic to attain and maintain good overall health.

Does CBD Oil Produce A High?

Even though CBD oil is found in marijuana plants, it is not the main component. CBD oil used for healing comes from a different member of the cannabis family.

Marijuana is cannabis sativa. Medicinal cannabis is cannabis indica. These plants are related, but they are not the same plant.

Cannabis sativa has a much higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content than cannabis indica. It also has a much lower CBD content. Cannabis indica, conversely, has a very high CBD content and a nearly negligible THC content.

Why Is It Better To Use CBD Oil Than Hemp Protein, Oils And Seeds?

Why Is It Better To Use CBD Oil Than Hemp Protein, Oils And Seeds?

Hemp oil, protein and seeds do not come from the cannabis Indica plant. Instead they come from industrial hemp, which does not contain CBD and has no medicinal properties.

Industrial hemp is highly nutritious and also provides a wealth of value in terms of resources that can be used to produce textiles, plastics, paper, building materials, foods and more; however, it does not contain cannabinoids.

Adding industrial hemp seeds to your horse’s feed is a good idea because they provide a perfect balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids along with a great deal of healthy nutrition, but they will not convey the benefits of CBD oil.

How Can You Be Sure Your Horse Is Not Getting THC?

Luckily, industry standards set the limit of THC content in all CBD oil products to below .3%; therefore, any CBD oil product you give your horse should not provide a significant amount of THC. This low amount will be processed by your horse’s system before the product is absorbed.

How Can CBD Oil Help A Horse?

How Can CBD Oil Help A Horse

CBD oil can help horses who have problems with:

  • Recovery from injury or surgery
  • Adverse reactions to vaccines
  • Dull mane, tail and coat
  • Leaky gut and ulcers
  • Nervous disorders
  • Insulin resistance
  • Immune problems
  • Lack of appetite
  • Slow digestion
  • Chronic stress
  • Inflammation
  • Laminitis
  • Stiffness
  • Arthritis
  • Anxiety
  • Cancer
  • Obesity
  • Pain

Generally speaking, CBD oil promotes mental and physical relaxation and an overall feeling of well-being.

Does CBD Oil Have Any Negative Side Effects?

Does CBD Oil Have Any Negative Side Effects

Overall, this supplement is safe to use, even long-term. As with all products, if it is used incorrectly it can have negative side effects. Excessive amounts may cause problems such as:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Drowsiness
  • Dizziness
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue

Always follow packaging instructions carefully, and take care not to give CBD oil to pregnant mares.

If your horse regularly take some other medication, check with your vet to be sure CBD oil will not interact negatively. It should not be taken with blood thinning medications or with antiepileptic medications.

Can You Use CBD Oil For Horses In Competition?

Events that require drug testing before participation have strict rules against positive testing for cannabinoids.

Even so, it’s important to remember that the cannabinoid they’re looking for is THC, not CBD, so it’s unlikely that CBD oil would be picked up by testing.

Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you are preparing for a competition, it’s a good idea to discontinue the use of CBD oil products a week to ten days before an upcoming event.

What’s The Best Kind Of CBD Oil To Buy?

What's The Best Kind Of CBD Oil To Buy

Organic hemp is best. Only buy CBD oil products that provide full disclosure regarding the sources and processing involved.

Hemp that is grown in Canada or the United States is the least likely to be contaminated with substances such as heavy metals, bacteria and chemicals.

Look for a product that has a certificate of analysis (COA) guaranteeing a safe and clean product. A COA indicates that the company you are considering follows all guidelines and adheres to all standards of production and product specifications. Double check the THC content.

Read the label of the product carefully to ensure that the amount of CBD contained per dose is the right amount for a horse.

Otherwise, you’ll need to do a little math to determine exactly how much you need to give your horse.

In some instances, very low CBD content could result in your spending a great deal of money for a product that is just not concentrated enough.

Be sure that the product you buy is produced using CO2 extraction. Some less-expensive products are produced by extracting the active ingredients using harsh chemicals. This negates the benefits of the product.

Another aspect of the processing method you should bear in mind is whether the final product is labeled as broad-spectrum, full spectrum or isolate.

Here’s the difference:

  1. Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains all substances sourced from the entire plant (active essential oils, flavonoids, terpenes) except for THC.
  2. Full spectrum CBD oil contains all of the substances sourced from the plant including .3% THC.
  3. CBD isolate only contain CBD with none of the other substances that could be sourced from the plant.

Overall, broad-spectrum is best because all of the components of the plant work together for the good. Even so, if your horse frequently participates in competitions, it may be best to use CBD isolate.

How Much CBD Oil Does A Horse Need?

How Much CBD Oil Does A Horse Need

You determine the amount needed by your animal’s weight. Generally speaking, miniature horses can safely consume 25 to 50 mg of CBD oil a day.

Full-sized horses, weighing around a thousand pounds, can safely consume 75 to 170 mg per day. Draft horses can safely consume between a 120 and 200 mg per day.

Remember to read the label carefully so that you know exactly how much CBD oil is contained in the product you are buying. You’ll get your best value with a highly concentrated CBD tincture.

How Can You Give Your Horse CBD Oil?

Sublingually is the most effective way to administer CBD oil, but this can be very hard to do with horses. Generally speaking, it’s best to mix the product up thoroughly in your horse’s regular feed.

Be sure to feed the supplement consistently, and be patient. Don’t make adjustments to dosage too quickly. Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see results right away.

It can take time for observable changes to take place. Start with a low dose and continue consistently for a couple of weeks before making any adjustments.

CBD Oil For Horses, Equines In Pain

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CBD oil good for horses?

CBD oil can be very helpful with many problems in horses. Among them are:

  • Colic: CBD oil can help calm a suffering horse’s digestive system to relieve the painful symptoms of colic.
  • Anxiety: CBD oil is calming and can reduce nervous symptoms such as cribbing, pacing and trembling.
  • Arthritis: CBD oil is an anti-inflammatory. It can help relieve joint pain throughout a horse’s body.

How can you give a horse CBD oil?

This substance is available for equine use in powder, pellet and treat form. The pellet form is very much like alfalfa pellets and is easy to mix into a horse’s feed. Powder is also easy to mix but smells and tastes quite strong, so some horses do not like it. Mixing it into a sweet mash or baking it into homemade treats can work. Commercially produced treats are also available in the form of gummies and chews.

How much CBD should a horse get?

The amount you feed depends on the problem you are trying to treat and the results you hope to achieve. Consult with your vet and, if you decide together that CBD may help with the problem your horse is experiencing, begin with the smallest dosage possible and watch for results. As little as 50 mg daily may be all that’s necessary, but with horses, as much as 600 mg daily can be alright.

What happens if you give your horse too much CBD oil?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that excessive amounts of this substance may cause horses to become lethargic and thirsty. If you notice these symptoms, or any others, discontinue use and consult your veterinarian about dosage amounts.

Is it legal to give a horse CBD oil?

CBD oil made from hemp and containing .3% or less THC is entirely legal throughout the United States. This healing substance does not and cannot cause you or your horse to feel high. It just has a calming influence and helps alleviate inflammation.

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