Megan Neth’s 18-year-old off-the-track Thoroughbred gelding Rio always maintained his flair for the dramatic. He was a stalwart of the show ring, but despite his vast experience at showgrounds all over the country, even the smallest change at his home barn could result in a complete meltdown.
One day there was a menacing blue manure bucket in the corner that Rio was sure contained a variety of monsters. Another time, two geese outside the arena got into a honking contest, and the gelding ran for the hills. Most offensive, however, was a lesson following a Halloween-themed show. The three straw bales and small scarecrows that comprised a jump were more than Rio could handle and resulted in a snorting, pawing bucking hissy fit.
To ensure there weren’t any underlying health issues going on, including his eyesight, Neth had her veterinarian out, who gave Rio a clean bill of health. Occasionally, she and her trainer tried giving him a calming paste, but didn’t see much of a difference, so after hearing about cannabidiol (CBD) products for horses, she decided to give it a try.
While the results weren’t instantaneous, Neth said within a few weeks, she did start to see a noticeable difference in her gelding. Every once in awhile, something out of the ordinary still startled him, but overall Rio seemed much happier and more chill about situations that would normally have set him off.
You’ve probably heard about the benefits of CBD for humans and dogs, but in recent years a number of companies have focused their research on CBD in horses. As a result, it’s gained popularity as an alternative or complementary treatment for a variety of equine issues, particularly those involving pain, inflammation and anxiety. Researchers, however, are still working to fully understand how CBD works in equines.
To help you determine whether a CBD-based product might be beneficial for your equine partner, we’ll explain how it affects horses’ physiology, the best modes of administration and the various types of products on the market.
Cannabis Connection: What Is CBD Exactly?
Holistic veterinarian Joyce Harman, DVM, a leading authority on equine acupuncture and alternative medicine, explains that CBD is derived from cannabis plants, a genus cultivated around the world for thousands of years. Archeological evidence suggests that cannabis plants, which originated in Asia, were used by humans as early as 2800 BCE.
There are two main species of cannabis, and many strains within those related species. Hemp-type cannabis includes varieties traditionally cultivated for their fiber (rope, twine, etc.), seeds (for food) and oils. Other types of cannabis, classified as marijuana strains, have been used for centuries for ritual, medicinal and recreational purposes.
The active ingredients in all these plants are chemicals called phytocannabinoids. The marijuana strains of cannabis plants are cultivated to produce high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive (mind-altering) phytocannabinoid. By contrast, the hemp strains, which contain cannabidiol (CBD), are not considered psychoactive. Studies in people and animals suggest that cannabidiol can relieve anxiety, reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. It’s also prescribed to treat some types of epilepsy.
“The difference between hemp and a marijuana plant is the amount of THC,” Harman said. “The plants we want for our animals are hemp plants. They have been selected and cultivated for high CBD and little to no THC.”
After the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act removed industrial hemp from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act, hemp was legally separated from its psychoactive cousin and new uses of the plant became economically feasible. Nonetheless, regulations governing CBD are constantly changing, with states taking different approaches to the sale of CBD products, so be sure to stay up to date on your state and local laws.
Benefits of CBD for Horses
Calming Effects:
One of the primary claims made about CBD centers on its calming effects. But unlike the psychoactive “high” produced by THC in marijuana, CBD is believed to soothe stress or anxiety. “Many horse owners and veterinarians have seen positive responses with CBD in animals that have been through stressful periods,” Harman said. “It helps with mental equilibrium.”
CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which regulates many physiological functions, including appetite, mood, pain sensation and immune response. By binding to certain receptors in the endocannabinoid system, CBD can help modulate these functions.
“CBD doesn’t make horses ‘stoned’ like THC would. The brain is still functioning normally,” Harman explained. “The horse is calm but if there is cause to be alert, the horse is still capable of being alert.”
It’s important to note, however, that these calming effects have not been proven in clinical studies, but Harman believes horses are excellent candidates for CBD trial therapies because modern equine management practices tend to put horses at risk of chronic stress. As we know, horses are designed to roam and constantly graze, but unfortunately many horse owners don’t have that option. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that 6,000 acres of the country’s open land are lost every day due to the increasing demand for urban and suburban development, which translates into real-world hardships for many equestrians and horse owners.
“Equine athletes are sometimes confined in small spaces, separated from their social groups and asked to do things that don’t come naturally to them,” Harman noted. “Many horses are on edge all the time. When we get on them, they spook at everything. CBD can help them stay calm and ‘forgive and forget.’”
Inflammation and Pain:
CBD also shows promise for treating chronic pain in horses. Harman says it may be beneficial for helping with laminitis, insulin resistance, musculoskeletal pain, skin disease, chronic ulcers, uveitis and even Lyme disease.
“Cannabinoids have action in both acute and chronic pain by modulating pain signals in the central and peripheral nervous systems and acting similarly to an anti-inflammatory,” Harman wrote in her 2020 Innovative Veterinary Care Journal article. “CBD can also act as an antioxidant and support immune function.”
While CBD is rarely the only treatment a horse receives, it may offer pain relief without the potential side effects of long-term use of conventional anti-inflammatory drugs like phenylbutazone (bute). CBD’s effectiveness against chronic pain has yet to be scientifically proven and it appears to vary greatly among individual horses. But Harman advocates trying CBD, particularly when traditional treatments have failed to alleviate pain.
Types of CBD for Horses
CBD products for horses are available in pellets, powders and oils. Powders and pellets can easily be distributed in your horse’s grain rations. For powders, Harman advises selecting a product that is 100% hemp with nothing else added; while pellets often contain alfalfa or added mold inhibitors.
CBD oils are extracted from the hemp plant and then mixed with an oil base. “Any type of safe, healthy oil is fine to dilute it in—usually hemp seed oil or MCT oil from coconuts—to get an amount you can measure in a dropper for feeding,” she said.
While some people claim that rubbing the CBD-infused oil into a horse’s gums is the fastest delivery method to get cannabidiol into his system, Harman says it’s often more practical to add CBD to his feed, especially as recent studies suggest that it’s better absorbed when administered with food.
CBD Dosage for Horses
The amount of CBD needed to achieve the desired effects in horses varies, as individuals responds differently to the compound. However, it’s always important to follow the specific manufacturers’ feeding directions.
Fortunately, Harman notes that CBD has a relatively solid safety record in many species and also seems to be well tolerated by horses in preliminary studies. “One thing we know about CBD is that the parts of the brain it works on will not be adversely affected by overdose,” she said.
Still, it’s wise to be cautious about giving your horse too much CBD. Research has shown that higher doses of CBD can change liver enzyme levels in people and animals—although this may not be a problem, according to recent studies. But again, be aware that there aren’t specific studies in horses.
Harman advises to establish the smallest effective amount of CBD for your horse and stick with that. “I recommend starting at about 25 milligrams for about a week or 10 days. If you aren’t seeing improvement in the condition you’re trying to help, then double the amount (50 milligrams) for a while,” she said. “If that’s still not working, you can go higher until you find the level that works in that particular horse. But it’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as the quality or concentration can vary considerably.”
When administering CBD to combat inflammation and discomfort, Harman says a large loading (initial) dose might be helpful. “You might start at 50 milligrams for a week and increase it if necessary—on up to 200, if need be, and stay there for a few weeks or a month,” she noted. “If the horse becomes sound and is no longer in pain, you could back down until you find a comfortable level.”
If maximum doses of different CBD products don’t produce the desired results in your horse, it’s time to look for other alternatives. Regardless of the hype, Harman stresses that CBD isn’t a cure-all, and it won’t help every horse.
Potential Downsides
The potential benefits of CBD are clear. But there are also possible downsides. One of those concern comes from the fact that rules and regulations governing CBD products are often unclear and still evolving. Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a CBD prescription medication for treatment of certain types of seizures, the agency has declined to issue rules for other CBD products.
“It’s not apparent how CBD products could meet safety standards for dietary supplements or food additives,” said FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock in a statement explaining the decision. “The use of CBD raises various safety concerns, especially with long-term use. Studies have shown the potential for harm to the liver, interactions with certain medications and possible harm to the male reproductive system. CBD exposure is also concerning when it comes to certain vulnerable populations such as children and those who are pregnant.”
The FDA is calling on Congress to establish a regulatory structure to ensure the safety and efficacy of CBD products.
Regulatory Gaps
Until those regulatory gaps are bridged, Harman advises sticking with CBD products offered by well-established companies that are transparent about their ingredients and production standards. “When you see inexpensive CBD products, consider that there is often a reason they are so inexpensive,” she warned.
And especially if you compete with your horse, keep in mind that most equine sports’ organizations prohibit anything that might alter or enhance performance, including CBD. That means horses may be tested for CBD along with other prohibited substances.
To stay in compliance with competition rules, Harman suggests administering CBD between events. “We don’t know yet what a safe withholding time would be for all horses,” she noted. While it’s generally recommended to withdraw a horse from CBD seven days prior to competition, it can vary by individual.
Horses who compete less often, as well as those in rehab or on a break from competition, may benefit from CBD administered during down periods. “Then, if your horse is functioning in a calmer way, you may have improved the condition of his endocannabinoid system,” Harman said.
CBD Shopping Tips
As with any supplement, it’s best to purchase CBD supplements only from well-regarded manufacturers. “Reputable companies use organically grown hemp for their CBD products, but certification of organic status has only recently been granted to the hemp industry,” Harman pointed out. “Some products are grown responsibly, using organic methods, but are not certified as organic yet because the process is expensive and can take several years for a farm to obtain.”
Certificate of Analysis
A reputable company selling CBD products will also publish a certificate of analysis (COA) for each product on its website, verifying that it has paid to have these products tested. The COA lists everything in the product: the cannabinoids, any terpenes (other beneficial plant compounds), any solvent contamination, heavy metals, other chemical residues and microbiology—as well as any molds or bacteria.
It’s also smart to consider how a product was processed. “CBD can be safely extracted using carbon dioxide (CO2) or high-quality, organic ethanol,” Harman explained. “The cheap way is to use nasty chemicals like benzene. Your local gas station or convenience store might sell CBD, but you may be getting other chemicals along with it.” The COA will tell you whether there are residues left over from processing and whether the plants were grown in soils free of heavy metals or other contaminants. It will also tell you the strength (actual amount) of CBD in the product.
THC Content
In addition, you want to verify that the product contains little to no THC, which can occasionally be present in trace amounts. The legal amount of THC to be in a CBD product is 0.3% and that amount will have no psychoactive effect. While Harman says that THC might be helpful in horses with cancer, dogs are highly sensitive to it, and researchers don’t know enough about THC to recommend its use in otherwise healthy horses.
For More:
SmartPak Equine commissioned a study on the safe use of their CBD ingredient at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine that was published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. You can read more about it, here.
About Joyce Harman, DVM
Joyce Harman, DVM, has more than 30 years of experience in holistic veterinary medicine. She is the founder and owner of Harmany Equine Clinic in Flint Hill, Virginia. After receiving her veterinary degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984, Harman decided to explore alternative approaches to animal health. Over the years, she has incorporated a variety of holistic modalities into her practice, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, CBD and chiropractic care. Her website contains educational material, and she is currently working on an online nutrition and holistic health course. Harman is the author of The Horse’s Pain-Free Back and Saddle-Fit Book and is a sought-after speaker on veterinary topics around the world.
