This is a question that has interested me for a while, and I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering. Since the recent hype I've been interested in all the health benefits of CBD oils and how they seem to really help people. Then I heard of a few cases where CBD helped animals. Which got me thinking if they can help people and their pets, could CBD oils be beneficial for horses as well?
Firstly, what is CBD oil?
CBD oil is a liquid substance derived from the cannabis plant. The oil is all natural and non-toxic and is finally getting the attention it deserves in terms of how we treat certain health issues.
With growing interest around the oil and its healing qualities and medical benefits, its left pet owners with lots of question on how this is possible? Before we get into that let's clear up a few misunderstandings.
Fact vs Fiction
Think of the Cannabis plant as a kind of umbrella broad term. Under the plant are both the marijuana plant and the hemp plant. Although the two have similarities, they also have important differences that horse owners should be aware of.
Cannabis plants are comprised of 80 different cannabinoids. Of these cannabinoids, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are two of the most studied. This is also where many misunderstandings originate from.
The cannabis plant has always had a bad reputation as it has always been associated with the "stoner" characters so often played on tv. however, this simply could not be further from the truth in terms of the cannabis oil used for treating ailments. In efforts to help remove the stigma, I like to explain a few things more in depth.
In the hope that this will clarify any misunderstandings and educate others with the more correct knowledge regarding cannabis oil will be passed on from there, so we can help more and more pet owner and their pets benefit from these oils.
HEMP-DERIVED CBD
Perhaps the most important difference between the hemp plant and the marijuana plant is that CBD oil derived from the hemp plant contains no more than 0.3% THC. Why is this so important?
THC is the chemical compound that gives its users the euphoric, "high" feeling associated with cannabis. Since the levels of THC in the hemp plant are virtually non-existent, hemp-derived CBD will not get your horse high or experience any euphoric feelings. Many pet owners wonder if CBD for animals will get their pet "high." The answer is absolutely not.
MARIJUANA-DERIVED CBD
It's also important to note that you can also get CBD oils derived from the marijuana plant. CBD oil derived from the marijuana will contain higher traces of THC, the psychoactive property that most associate with getting high. Although many studies prove that horses can tolerate marijuana-derived CBD, it is not fully legal in this country yet.
How it works for your horse
So, how does it all work?
Hemp and cannabis both contain chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Horses (like humans) have an Endocannabinoid System (ECS). The receptor system interacts with cannabinoids (such as CBD cannabidiol) to maintain overall homeostasis within the body. As you may imagine, it is imperative that the system works efficiently.
When cannabidiol such as CBD is introduced, it helps to support the overall function of the Endocannabinoid System. It is comparable to the way that vitamin C supports the immune system. CBD oil also proves to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve stress on the body. As you can see, more and more people are turning to CBD oil instead of harsh, conventional medications whenever possible.
CBD Hemp Oil Benefits for Horses
Horse owners have found that CBD oils have benefited their horses in a number of ways for a number of illnesses. They have found that they don't only treat the problem but can also help with preventing it from worsening.
CBD HEMP OIL FOR PAIN
Perhaps the hardest part of being a horse owner is recognizing that your horse is in pain. Conventional pain medications are accompanied by a slew of potential adverse reactions that leave many wondering if the risks are worth the possible reward. Of course, you don't want your beloved horse to be in pain, but at what cost? Thankfully, horse owners now have options when it comes to alleviating their horses' distress.
CBD's anti-inflammatory properties are what make it such an effective remedy for pain relief. In fact, CBD is so effective at relieving pain that experts are considering it to be a new drug class for treating chronic pain in people and in animals alike. Hemp-derived CBD oil can also help provide relief for horses facing acute pain. The best news? CBD hemp oil has virtually zero side effects, much unlike those associated with conventional pain medications.
GASTRIC ULCERS IN HORSES
At one point or another, many horses are diagnosed with gastric ulcers. Sadly, up to 90% of adult horses will be diagnosed with gastric ulcer disease at some point in their life. The ulcers can be incredibly painful and affect the horse's appetite and overall nature. In cases of equine gastric ulcer syndrome, CBD oil can help. By implementing CBD oil, pet owners can help to relieve their horse's discomfort and support the body's natural healing process.
LAMINITIS
Every day, hundreds of horses are diagnosed with a disease called laminitis. Laminitis is the inflammation of the tissues within the horse's hoof. The disease often causes the horse to experience a severe amount of pain and negatively affects their quality of life. If your horse has been diagnosed with laminitis, implementing CBD oil can help.
COLIC
Another ailment that can benefit from CBD oil is colic. Colic is a condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract and can cause the horse to experience horrific abdominal pain. In cases of colic, a CBD supplement can provide pain relief and work to reduce present inflammation affecting the horse's GI tract.
I hope this answered some of your questions and if you have any more you are welcome to contact me for further information.
