Cannabidiol, otherwise known as “CBD,” is the latest alternative health trend to go mainstream. CBD products are gaining popularity as alternative or complementary treatments for a variety of conditions in people and animals, including epilepsy, anxiety and osteoarthritis.
Yet many questions about CBD use in horses remain. How does it affect a horse’s physiology? What’s the best mode of administration? Can you trust claims that CBD can soothe your horse’s stress and even relieve his pain?
Researchers are still working to understand CBD and investigate its potential benefits and risks. But that doesn’t mean you have to wait to explore whether it can keep your horse calm or comfortable.
To help you determine whether a CBD-based product might be right for your horse, we’ve enlisted the help of holistic veterinarian an Joyce Harman, DVM, a leading authority on equine acupuncture and alternative medicine.
THE CANNABIS CONNECTION
CBD is derived from cannabis plants, a genus cultivated around the world for thousands of years. Archeological evidence suggests that cannabis plants, which originated in Asia, were used by humans as early as 2800 BCE.
There are two main species of cannabis, and many strains within those related species. Hemptype cannabis includes varieties traditionally cultivated for their fiber (rope, twine, etc.); seeds eds (for food); and oils. Other types of cannabis, classified as marijuana strains, have been used for centuries for
