What is CBD?
CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a natural compound that is extracted from the cannabis hemp plant. It is mixed with an oil such as coconut, MCT, and olive to make it easy to consume for horses.
CBD is now legal to be used for humans and pets starting 2018 in the USA. It is also legal to be purchased online and in CBD stores in Canada.
Even if it comes from a cannabis plant, CBD is safe to consume even without prescription. This is because it does not have the psychoactive and lethargic side-effects that you may get from marijuana.
Is CBD safe for horses?
CBD for medicinal purposes is gathered from the hemp plant. This is known to be low in THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. Because of this, it will have all of the beneficial effects of cannabis without any of its side effects. Because of this, it is recommended to be used for pets.
Horses are not negatively impacted by CBD, and surprisingly they react very well to it. This is why we suggest starting with the lower end of suggested dosages. All living things are different, and this is why it is always best to start with the minimum versus the maximum suggested amounts. If there is any type of reaction, it is best that it is with a small amount instead of a large one.
How is CBD given to horses?
The liquid form of CBD allows it to be applied directly to their gums. You can also put it in your hands and allow the horse to lick it directly from it. Be sure to make them relaxed first so that it will go smoothly. Lastly, you can gently put the dropper on their mouth and release its contents. There are some companies that are making treats, so if you want to find out more information about the best CBD horse treats in Canada make sure you keep coming back. We will continue to update our listings as more and more products get released.
Why would you give your horse CBD?
There are a lot of things that happen when we get older, and horses are no strangers to aging either. With their generally bigger bodies there are always chances of things starting to ache as the years go on. Depending on the lifestyle of the horse their joints and muscles could be slowly breaking down to use. And in other instances it is just one of the joys of aging….
That brings us to what CBD can actually do for your horse? As mentioned before, every living thing is different so what works for some horses might not work for others. From what we have seen some horses can be more relaxed when taking cbd, some can see moderate pain relief and some just seem like they roll back the years and move better overall.
Conclusion
If you are seeing some issues with your horse like we mentioned above it might be worthwhile seeing if CBD is right for them. We always suggest you speak to your vet and keep open lines about possible treatments as clarity is best when trying out things related to your horse and their health. Also, it is worth noting that some competitions do not allow CBD to be used on horses that are entered. However, we have had a lot of positive messages and read many stories about how CBD has helped many peoples horses live better and longer lives. If you want some more in depth information please check out this video from youtube which has pretty in depth discussions about many things related to CBD and horses.