The Many Benefits of CBD for your Horse

Healthy information about using CBD on horses.

You may have heard someone you know talking about cannabis oil, cannabinoid (CBD) oil, or phytocannabinoid-rich (PCR) oil for the benefits. These items all refer to Phytocannabinoid-rich oil derived from cannabis sativa, also known as the hemp plant.

My friends around the world have been dealing with horses with kissing spine, navicular, and injury resulting in stall rest. Equestrians are increasingly looking for safe and natural ways to reduce anxiety and inflammation in their animals. As an equine massage therapist, I suggest sports massage to relieve tension, reduce toxins, and stimulate endorphin release. Of course, true holistic wellness must address all aspects of the body, whether behavioral, physical, and mental, and address the core cause of the problem.

I first was approached by a client’s owner about hemp wellness treats. Her animal had severe arthritis. I did not recommend it at the time because I knew nothing of CBD or how it would affect my client. A few months later, I spoke with the founder of Treatibles, Juliana Carella, at the 2017 BlogPaws conference in Myrtle Beach. Like most people, my question was “how is this not giving my pet marijuana?”

Hemp is Not Marijuana

Hemp and marijuana are not the same, in fact, they are different species of the same plant. Hemp is legal and is a common source of rope, paper, clothing, jewelry, and more. It is one of the oldest domesticated crops farmed by mankind. Hemp is a renewable and sustainable resource that has found a resurgence of popularity in recent years in our organic health markets because it is a highly nutritious resource.

Several decades ago the United States marked all cannabis plants, regardless of species, a Class 1 drug.  As a result, many of us associate hemp with marijuana. This is definitively incorrect. Hemp contains <0.1% THC (hallucinogenic) which the body processes faster than can be absorbed.[1] [2] As such hemp, CBD oil, and PCR oil are not recreational drugs.

What are Cannabinoids?

Cannabis has approximately 500 natural compounds. One of these, cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most common. Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound that has medical benefits such as reducing inflammation and the ability to aid regeneration. All animals with the exception of insects have endocannabinoid receptors. The endocannabinoid receptors affect our digestion, sleep, movement, and our emotions. Our bodies naturally absorb this compound and it affects different parts of our body, including the immune system.

Benefits of PCR Oil for Your Horse

  • Pain Relief
  • Improve Digestion (i.e. relieve nausea and stimulate appetite)
  • Calm anxiety
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Improve flexibility and movement
  • Improve cardiovascular health
  • Shiny coat, mane, and tail

What Type of Horse Can Benefit from PCR Oil?

Photo credit: Bridle & Bone Photography

All horses! Whether your horse is suffering from chronic laminitis, anxiety, muscle soreness, stall rest, trailering anxiety, herd-bound issues, or more. The beautiful thing about PCR oil is that it does not have to be used continuously and build up in their systems. Even one dose brings relief.

The unthinkable has happened and your horse is on stall rest. You’ve made some pretty creative toys for your horse to play with but after a few weeks they are just feeling cooped up and wanting out. Use PCR oil to help keep them calm until you can hand walk or turnout again.

PCR oil does not change your animal’s personality. But it does help to bring your animal back to balance, naturally, within its own body.

PCR oil may be used for the following:

  • Generalized anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Navicular
  • Stall rest
  • Improve appetite
  • Reduce pain
  • Trailering
  • Separation anxiety/ Herd-bound

How to Use Cannabis Oil

Few companies will sell cannabis essential oil, but you can find it. It is important to note that the company must be reputable and the oil is “Certified Therapeutic Grade.” The sourcing for the materials is incredibly important. I recommend consulting an aromatherapist for sourcing and dosage. Since I am not a veterinarian I do not use essential oils internally on animals. Instead, I use cannabis oil as an inhalant or topically to the site of pain and inflammation with amazing results.

Gel Caps

Meant to be eaten with food, gel caps are easy to store and the dosage is easily adjustable based on the weight of your horse. Although they are small, many horses are finicky and may not be willing to eat them.

Syringes

Easy to store and easy to use, syringes allow you to dispense the PCR oil liquid into the water, grain, or directly into the mouth, similar to deworming.

Where to Buy

CBD, PCR, and hemp products are increasingly popular for humans and small animals. After my own research, I tried CBD treats with my reactive dog, Beau. I was incredibly happy with the results and wrote about our positive experiences on my blog, Bridle & Bone. Large animals such as horses have a limited market but it’s growing.

These companies have designated equine CBD products:

  • Canna-Pet
  • Equidiol
  • Treatibles
  • King Kanine

The benefits of CBD mirror well and amplify the benefits of sports massage. I have done a lot of research into PCR oil and its use in horses because I work with animals in chronic or acute pain due to cancer, arthritis, or with generalized anxiety. Anything we can do to accentuate the positive benefits of these holistic therapies, without negative side effects, is an important step toward holistic and integrative therapies.

About Heather Wallace

Heather Wallace is a certified equine and canine sports massage therapist, co-owner of Bridle & Bone Wellness LLC, and equestrian & canine blogger at Bridle & Bone. She is an adult amateur equestrian in unrequited loved with an OTTB and has two rescue dogs, Gonzo and Beau. Follow her @bridleandbone on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.