According to Statista, the sales of cannabidiol products for pets are estimated to reach $125 million in the US by 2022.

This surge in the use of products for animals that contain CBD is largely driven by the extensive range of benefits that CBD oil holds. Many of the medicinal actions of CBD are highly valuable when it comes to treating horses for various ailments.

The use of CBD oil for horses is still in its infancy, but so far there is a long list of potential uses. Horses can be plagued by a variety of ailments and having the tools to treat them is essential to good horse care.

So, if you are keen to find out how CBD oil might help your horse – read on. Because you might just be adding it to your medicinal tool kit for your equine after you read this!

Reduces Inflammation

One of the biggest benefits that CBD holds for horses is that it can be used to treat inflammation. Many conditions that horses suffer from, such as desmitis, laminitis, and arthritis are inflammation based.

Although inflammation is a natural response of the body, inflammation that is out of control is not healthy and can cause damage to tissues. Horses who have inflammation fraught diseases can have trouble walking and standing. They are also at a higher risk of musculoskeletal injury.

Although studies are yet to be done on the treatment of inflammation in horses with CBD. But scientific research has revealed that CBD can dramatically improve inflammatory conditions in humans.

Additionally, animal studies have found a direct link between a reduction in signs of inflammation in mice through treatment with CBD oil.

Can Help for Arthritis in Horses

Arthritis is a common problem in horses and is one for which not a lot of treatment exists. But, CBD has been showing promising results when used to treat arthritis in animals.

A study published in the European Journal of Pain documented that the test animals experienced a reduction of arthritis induced pain and inflammation within as little as four days.

Although CBD does not have the power to reverse the symptoms of arthritis. But it can be used to ease symptoms and provide increased mobility with a reduction in pain and swelling.

Supports Immune Function

One of the reasons why CBD oil can have a positive effect on arthritis is linked to its ability to modulate the immune system. Arthritis is thought to be caused by an overactive immune system, a situation that CBD can help to bring under control.

At the same time, conditions that are characterized by a suppressed immune system (such as HIV) can benefit from the actions of CBD as well.

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system in humans and in horses. This, in turn, has a regulatory effect on the immune system. CBD oil is also rich in Omega-6 which further has a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Increases Joint Health

Because CBD oil has a regulatory effect on the immune system, while it cannot reverse the symptoms of arthritis, it might be able to protect against them.

This protective action will keep your horse’s joints safe from potential arthritis induced damage. Also, CBD oil for inflammation has a marked enough effect that it could further protect joints in horses from the pressure of extreme inflammation.

Can Improve Respiratory Issues

If your horse is suffering from respiratory issues then this is another area where CBD oil might be of benefit. There is not yet a large amount of evidence documenting how it works. But cannabis has been recognized by places like the Lung Institute to be able to help those with lung disease.

Although CBD does not contain all of the active compounds that cannabis in its whole form does, it is still considered to be an effective remedy to try for treating respiratory issues and diseases.

Boosts Digestive Health

Yet another area where CBD for horses might be of benefit is digestive health. Humans taking CBD often report an uptick in their digestive health. Such as increased appetite, and decreased bloating and decreased symptoms of nausea.

In some cases, such as with cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy, this action of CBD is very valuable as symptoms such as nausea can be chronic.

If your horse is struggling with any of these issues, CBD oil might be able to provide some relief.

Can Help for Allergies

One of the hidden reasons behind allergies in horses and in humans is an overactive immune system. If one’s immune system is overactive, it can cause the body to trigger an immune response to environmental things that are harmless (such as pollen).

Allergies in horses can be a frustrating and tricky condition to treat. Fortunately, CBD might be able to help.

Because CBD has a regulating effect on the immune system, if administered to horses that have allergies, it might be able to significantly decrease allergic reactions.

Allergic conditions in horses often show themselves in the form of skin irritations such as hives and pruritus. Co-incidentally, not only will CBD be beneficial for these reactions if administered internally, but CBD oil might be of benefit if administered topically as well.

CBD oil is quickly becoming known for its healing and soothing effects for the skin. Its anti-inflammatory actions make CBD oil ideal for applying to areas of irritation.

Might Ease Colic

Dreaded by horse owners, colic is another thing that could be treated using CBD oil. No research exists on the topic of administering CBD oil to horses in order to treat colic. But, there are reasons to believe that CBD oil might be effective in easing and alleviating the symptoms.

Colic is another condition that is characterized by pain and inflammation. The strong anti-inflammatory effects of CBD could potentially ease the inflammation caused by colic.

Can Be Used to Ease Anxiety in Horses

According to scientific research, a whopping 97% of people reported a decrease in anxiety levels while taking CBD oil.

Horses are renowned to suffer from anxiety and nervousness. Their sensitive makeup causes them to be prone to these types of conditions. This is why horses can often develop mental blocks around things that have frightened them.

If you have a horse that you can see is plagued by anxiety, this is another area where CBD oil might be of benefit. Thanks to the fact that human trials have shown such remarkable results.

Can Be Used as a Side-Effect Free Pain Reliever

Watching a horse in pain can be extremely stressful. And the worst part about it is that most over-the-counter pain medication comes with quite a few detrimental side effects.

But, CBD has been pinpointed as a potent pain reliever with science showing findings that CBD is highly effective for pain and chronic pain alleviation.

There has not been any research done on pain alleviation in horses using CBD. But, because horses also have an endocannabinoid system the same as we do – it stands to reason that they would experience similar results.

The best part about CBD for pain relief is that unlike other medications – there are no documented side effects. It is also very difficult to overdose on CBD, with research showing that even doses as high as 1500 mg per day are tolerated well by humans. Thanks to their larger size, horses are likely to have even higher thresholds.

This means that you can effectively administer CBD for pain to your horse, without worrying about side effects or overdoses.

CBD Oil for Horses Can Improve Skin Conditions

And lastly, we come to skin conditions. It is not uncommon for horses to develop all sorts of skin conditions such as rain rot, mud fever, hives, and rashes. CBD oil carries soothing properties and its anti-inflammatory action can be effective for calming and gaining control over an area that is itchy and inflamed.

If the skin issue is caused by an allergy, then there is an even higher likelihood that CBD oil for horses will help.

Final Word

CBD oil for horses offers many of the same benefits that it does for humans. It also is able to treat some of the hardest to combat problems that horse owners are only too familiar with.

The best part about CBD oil is that it is beneficial all round, is tonic like in nature and has no documented side effects. It is also very hard to administer an overdose of it, especially to a horse thanks to their large size.

If you have any questions or comments around CBD and its use for horses, be sure to hit up the comment box down below.

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