Dogs dominate the pet CBD category. Not only are most of the studies on CBD for pets focused on canines, almost all of today’s pet-friendly CBD treats are only fit for Fido. However, that doesn’t mean researchers aren’t interested in feeding CBD to other animals. Interestingly, there’s emerging evidence that hemp CBD might benefit horses.
Although the data on CBD for horses is limited, a few reputable sources have begun delving into this issue. People curious about feeding CBD to their mares should consider the latest research into this topic.
Is CBD A Suitable Supplement For Horses? — What The Data Suggests
Professors at Colorado State University recently published findings from a six-week trial on using CBD oil for horses. While this study was small, it suggests that horses can absorb CBD oil if owners put this cannabinoid in animal feed. Researchers also noted that they didn’t notice significant adverse effects from using CBD as a supplement.
To reach these conclusions, scientists took blood samples and synovial fluid from each horse and examined it for CBD concentrations. Study authors noted that CBD levels in horses tended to reach a high point about five hours after they ate this supplement. Researchers also found that CBD stays in a horse’s body for at least 24 hours after ingestion.
While this data suggests horses can absorb CBD, it doesn’t appear they retain as much of this cannabinoid as dogs or humans. The study authors also highlighted that adding hemp seemed to ramp up liver enzymes and blood calcium levels in a few horses.
Colorado researchers concluded that it’d probably be best to feed horses CBD every 12 hours for optimal absorption. However, since there’s still a lack of evidence on the long-term effects of CBD for horses, it’s difficult to determine whether CBD would be beneficial for this animal.
So, Can People Feed Their Horses Hemp?
Unfortunately, the jury’s still out on whether CBD would benefit horses. All that the Colorado State study suggested was that horses can absorb CBD oil. However, scientists still don’t know whether CBD significantly impacts an equine’s ECS.
Veterinarians will need more long-term data on using CBD for horses to better assess whether this cannabinoid helps with issues like stress and joint swelling. Anyone who owns a horse should consult their vet before considering whether to give CBD to their pet. Remember that most CBD supplements aren’t created with horses in mind. It’s still tricky to figure out the proper CBD dosage for humans, so it’s extra tricky when considering horses!
Find The Perfect Pet-Friendly CBD Products on Real Tested CBD
Although we don’t have piles of data on using CBD for horses, it’s clear that more pet owners want to give CBD to their non-human friends. As more companies release pet-friendly CBD oils, Real Tested CBD will continue to scan these products for quality. If you’re new to buying CBD oils for dogs or cats, we’d suggest looking through our pet-friendly CBD reviews. You can find info on our favorite pet-friendly CBD treats and oils on our website.
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