There has been a lot of talk going around in recent years about the benefits of CBD oil, yet many consumers don’t even realize that it’s not just humans that stand to gain. Every animal alive except for insects is equipped with an endocannabinoid system, which means that animals, including horses, can also benefit from CBD use. Read on to find out about five of the most common reasons to administer CBD to horses.
Anxiety Issues
There are many reasons a horse may experience anxiety ranging from arena anxiety in rodeos and races to separation anxiety after spending too much time alone. CBD helps all varieties of horses feel less anxious and, since it doesn’t contain any psychoactive compounds, it won’t affect performance. Dosing can be a challenge, though, so take a look at greenflowerbotanicals.com to figure out how much CBD an individual horse will need to relieve anxiety.
Pain and Inflammation
Muscle soreness and arthritis affect horses just like they do people. Both of these serious issues can be treated with CBD, which doesn’t just reduce pain but also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. CBD is all-natural, non-addictive, and free of troubling side effects, which makes it a better option in most cases than the pharmaceutical pain medications obtained from the vet.
Instead of waiting until a horse starts having trouble with pain and inflammation, it’s often better to start administering CBD oil as a preventative. It reduces the chances that the animal will develop potentially serious conditions and improves overall wellbeing.
Gastric Ulcers
Gastric ulcers are much more common in horses than they are in humans. In fact, up to 90% of racehorses will experience this worrying problem at some point in their lives. CBD eases the pain of ulcers and improves horses’ appetites, making it easier to manage symptoms and ensure general well-being while the painful symptoms resolve themselves.
Skin Conditions
Some horses are prone to skin diseases like hives and pruritus. Hives typically appear as bumps, while pruritus appears as bad patches but both of them can lead to further self-inflicted damage if they are not controlled.
Creams and salves that contain CBD oil may relieve itchiness and improve the horse’s appearance and demeanor. It will make all the difference for show horses and riding horses alike. It’s not a good idea to ride a horse with a skin condition without first taking all possible steps to eliminate the animal’s discomfort as the saddle, bridle, and weight of the rider can all worsen symptoms if they aren’t treated first.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
CBD supports healthy blood vessels and a regular heartbeat not just in humans but also in their equine companions. CBD oil can be used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease and even reduce the risk of heart attacks. It can help aging horses maintain their cardiovascular fitness well into old age so they can continue performing, giving rides, and providing companionship to their owners.
The Bottom Line
CBD can be used to treat a variety of conditions in horses. It can even be used as a preventative to keep horses healthy without changing their demeanor or causing adverse side effects. Just make sure to dose the animal correctly and use products designed specifically for horses for the best results.