CBD for Horses
Suzie's CBD Treats for horses are formulated specifically for horses and our other farm friends.
Horses commonly suffer from restlessness, anxiety, sweating, aggression, mood swings, and Cushing’s disease. They may also develop appetite fluctuations or suffer from inflammation problems and joint pains. Check out our equine products to help!
Learn More About Suzie's CBD Treats for Horses!
Here at Suzie’s, we love our equine friends! Horses are amazing and emotional creatures that may suffer from anxiety and other stresses at certain times such as before shows or in their stalls. Can CBD help support a horse’s emotional and physical health?
Since there are almost 77 million dogs and over 58 million cats in the USA, and only 7 million horses, there has been more extensive research done on CBD for cats and dogs. Regardless of this original focus, CBD research on horses has also begun, and both anecdotal evidence and research thus far suggest that horses may greatly benefit from CBD for a better quality of life.
CBD Oil for Horses: How It Works
Just like all animals with a backbone, CBD works by affecting a horse’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)—the system responsible for maintaining the body’s natural balance. The ECS is responsible for regulating appetite, mood, inflammation, pain, learning, memory, and more.
The ECS works by releasing endocannabinoids—cannabinoids similar to CBD that are produced by the body. When something within the body gets out of sync, the ECS sends its cannabinoids to bind to specific receptors and alert the body to start remedying the problem.
CBD is particularly similar to one of these cannabinoids and appears to interact with the ECS, helping it function at its maximum and supporting the body to reach its balance.
Cannabinoid receptors are located throughout the body, concentrating especially in the brain, gut, and immune system, suggesting that the ECS’s effects are particularly strong in these areas.
How much CBD should you give your horse?
We generally advise our customers to give 10 to 20 mg of CBD per day to their horse.
This may seem like a small dose for such large animals, however, it is important to note that larger animals, like horses, have a slower metabolism. This means they metabolize food and medicine much slower compared to smaller animals like dogs, cats, and even humans.
CBD Oil for Horses: the Benefits
Horses commonly suffer from lameness, restlessness, anxiety, sweating, aggression, mood swings, and Cushing’s disease. They may also develop appetite fluctuations or suffer from inflammation problems and joint pains. With all this in mind, horses may require extra care and attention compared to other animals.
CBD can be a great option for horse owners looking for new ways to take care of their animals and give them a happy and comfortable life. Due to its interaction with the ECS, CBD for horses may be particularly helpful with fending off inflammation, anxiety, stress, allergies, and pain.
Horses and Inflammation
When it comes to inflammation, there are many NSAIDs or corticosteroids that are administered to horses, like Bute (Phenylbutazone). However, horses sometimes don’t react well to these medications. NSAIDs may cause indigestion and colitis, and consistent use of NSAIDs can be detrimental to a horse’s health.
Evidence [1] suggests that CBD may be a great alternative to help horses with chronic pain and inflammation. Thanks to CBD’s interaction with the ECS, CBD may improve the way the horses’ ECS manages inflammation and help reduce it.
Horses and Anxiety
Horses, much like ourselves, are emotional beings and may need support to maintain their mood and health. Anxious horses, in particular, may require assistance to live happier, calmer lives.
Several studies suggest that CBD may help reduce anxiety. A study found that CBD helped reduce acute restraint stress in rats [2], while a 2010 review [3] concluded that “Cannabidiol was found to have therapeutic potential with antipsychotic, anxiolytic, and antidepressant properties, in addition to being effective in other conditions.”
Ongoing research is directed toward evaluating how CBD might help horses with anxiety, stress, stall confinement, aggression, and appetite regulation.
Horses and Cushing’s Disease
A common condition that affects horses is Equine Cushing’s disease, also known as Pars Pituitary Intermedia Dysfunction. Cushing’s disease is a reflection of a hormonal imbalance whereby the body releases too much cortisol, a condition known as hypercortisolism and hyperadrenocorticism. Cortisol is responsible for stress control, blood sugar regulation, and weight management.
When too much cortisol is secreted, the horse feels stressed. Physiological symptoms include:
· Potbelly with ribs showing.
· Loss of topline muscle tone.
· Small, patchy areas of long fur.
· Excessive thirst and urination.
· Decreased fertility.
· Suppression of the immune system with frequent infections. Small abrasions easily become major.
Preliminary findings [4] on the effects of CBD on hormone secretion suggest that it may someday be a promising treatment for Equine Cushing’s disease. In the meantime, several horse owners are experimenting with CBD to help their horses maintain healthy cortisol levels and enjoy a good quality of life.
What Are Suzie's CBD Treats for Horses Made of?
Our CBD Nibbles contain all-organic ingredients including dried apples, applesauce, rolled oats, oat flour, molasses, dried carrots, oat bran, flax meal, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and full-spectrum CBD oil.
Our full-spectrum CBD oil is made from organic hemp grown locally in Colorado on our USDA-certified Fort Collins farm, and our partners’ hemp farms.
Will CBD Give a ‘High’ To My Horse?
CBD is non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating. Cannabis contains two major cannabinoids, CBD and THC. THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that gives people the sense of “high.”, while CBD, on the other hand is well-tolerated by the body and is non-psychoactive and non-addictive.
Industrial hemp has been selectively grown for its high abundance of CBD and very low content of THC. All hemp grown in the United States is regulated and controlled for its THC content that must be below the 0.3% threshold. Such minute traces of THC are shown to have no effect on horses.
Suzie’s CBD Treats for Horses
Suzie’s CBD Treats for horses have been specifically formulated for horses and contain full-spectrum CBD oil for optimal wellness.
Hemp contains hundreds of beneficial compounds, of which CBD is the most abundant. Full-spectrum CBD contains all the hard-working phytonutrients of hemp, unlike CBD isolate. That means our CBD Oil Horse Treats contain CBD as well as all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, minerals, and vitamins that are found in hemp.
We test all our products to ensure that the THC levels are below the legal threshold. We want horse owners to feel safe when they give our delicious CBD treats to their four-legged friends.
Give Your Horse the Quality of Life It Deserves
Enjoy spending time with your horse and give your friend CBD Nibbles to maintain your horse’s quality of life and wellbeing while keeping at bay disturbing ailments like inflammation, chronic pain, and anxiety. Support their health, immune system, and happiness the natural way!
References
[1] https://www.panacealife.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Final-Equine-Study.pdf
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697769/