Horses are regarded as domestic animals and they are known for their strength, speed, and endurance. They have served humans for hundreds or maybe even thousands of years and have been loyal servants helping in different regards. They are employed and useful in endeavors like transportation, agriculture, sports, etc. They have also been useful by armies for fighting wars. All these and many more make the horse a very valuable animal to humans. You can learn a lot about horses here.
Given how important they are, there is a need to make sure they are well taken care of to prevent having them come down with any sickness or diseases. When horses are plagued with any disease, it renders them ineffective and this will inevitably affect their owner.
Whether they are sick of not, taking care of your horse is imperative for their wellbeing and yours. Doing this involves regularly visiting with a vet and administering required medication when necessary.
Talking about medication, CBD oil is one popular medication that can be used to treat or maintain your equine’s well-being. It is a drug that comes with many health benefits and can be used to treat most of the common diseases that horses may experience. It is a derived product from the hemp plant which contains several or hundreds of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids and other compounds which are full of health benefits.
CBD oil is rich in nutrients such as proteins, vitamins A, C, E, and B complex. It is also rich in iron, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, beta carotene, potassium, magnesium, essential oils, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, etc. All these nutrients and more are needed by the body to function optimally and this is what makes it so useful.
Benefits of CBD to Your Horse
Cannabidiol oil can be of benefit to your equine by maintaining its overall wellbeing. It can also be administered to treat common diseases such as:
- Arthritis
- Salmonellosis
- Equine infectious anemia
- Influenza
- Brucellosis
- Louis Encephalitis (SLE)
- Encephalomyelitis
- Lockjaw
- Allergies and skin issues.
How CBD Oil Works
CBD oil works majorly by interacting with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is a system present in all mammals which include horses and it is responsible for most functions performed by the body. These functions include appetite and digestion, sleep, mood, emotion, metabolism, muscle, bone formation and growth, cardiovascular system function, and strengthening the central nervous system (CNS), the immune system and more. You can learn about the functions off the ECS here https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system.
All these are possible due to cannabinoid receptors that are present in the ECS which produce natural substances such as anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), and enzymes that enable it to perform all its functions without the need for any external substances. When the ECS for any reason cannot produce enough of the materials it needs to perform as it should, which can be due to many factors including diseases, your horse gets sick.
Administering CBD oil at this point will boost the production of necessary enzymes and substances that rejuvenate the ECS, enabling it to perform again. The oil bonds to the cannabinoid receptors and they in turn send signals to the cells, releasing all that is needed to make your equine feel great again.
How Safe is CBD Oil for Horses?
Cannabidiol is safe for use in both humans and animals which include your horse. There has been widespread usage but no reported cases of any serious issues arising from its use. Cannabidiol may come with some slight side effects such as:
- Dry mouth
- An increase or a decrease in appetite
- Lethargy and drowsiness
- Reduced blood pressure, etc.
Most times, these side effects are a result of the body adapting to the drug and they will disappear in no time. Sometimes, it is as a result of poor quality products. This is why it is important to check products from trusted sources like pethempcompany.com that will not harm your equine.
Dosing
As with most uses of cannabidiol, dosage for your horse is dependent on factors such as its weight and the health condition to be treated. There are dosage charts and guidelines available online and from manufacturers or retailers of the product.
Conclusion
CBD oil is a natural remedy to a lot of equine ailments. It comes with a lot of health benefits and it is safe to use. All you have to do is ensure you buy products from the right sources. It is a good practice to consult your veterinarian before administering any form of medication to your horse even if you have used it at one point in the past. The vet will be able to guide you on what to do and what the right dosage should be.
