The Benefits of Hemp for Horses

Discover the natural benefits of hemp for your horse. From joint health to anxiety relief, explore the advantages of hemp.

Did you know that hemp-derived products contain numerous holistic benefits for people and animals? CBD oil is a popular choice among medical patients, and now equine lovers are beginning to see the advantages of hemp for horses.

Get ready to buy indica seeds and make your own CBD oil. Keep reading to discover the differences between hemp and marijuana, the benefits of hemp for horses, and how to use cannabis oil.

Let’s get started!

Hemp vs. cannabis: what’s the difference?

The Cannabaceae family consists of three species: Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa, and Cannabis ruderalis. These plants are known by many names, including cannabis, marijuana, weed, pot—and even hemp.

Science views cannabis and hemp as the same thing, but the law doesn’t. Hemp isn’t considered a recreational drug and is 100% legal. You can safely use products with hemp for horses.

Here are the legal definitions of each plant:

  • Hemp: A cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC
  • Marijuana: A cannabis plant containing more than 0.3% THC

Cannabis and hemp plants contain cannabinoids like THC and CBD—but in varying quantities.

Hemp has virtually no tetrahydrocannabinol

So it doesn’t produce the typical psychoactive effects of marijuana. Instead, it contains the non-psychoactive compound CBD, which delivers an abundance of holistic benefits for humans and animals.

While CBD oil comes from hemp and cannabis plants, hemp seed oil is derived from the seeds of mature female hemp crops. The latter contains minimal cannabinoids.

Hemp-derived horse products

There are two different ways of feeding hemp to horses. Here’s a rundown of each option:

Hemp seeds

These are an excellent source of protein and contain all the necessary amino acids. Hemp seeds are easily digestible, palatable, and give your horse plenty of minerals and vitamins.

Hemp by-products

These include hemp oil and hemp seed meal for horses. The latter contains fiber, protein, and some fat—depending on whether it was extracted for oil. The former has a favorable fatty acid profile with 76% polyunsaturated fat. Note that hemp oil and CBD oil are the same things.

When selecting a hemp byproduct, checking the label and verifying the THC content is essential.

Benefits of hemp for your horse

Using hemp oil is an excellent way of improving your equine’s quality of life. This organic substance doesn’t change your animal’s personality and only offers healing, soothing, and nurturing qualities.

Here are some benefits of hemp for horses:

Reduces inflammation

It can be difficult to determine whether your horse is in pain or suffering from inflammation. Although this problem is often left undetected, you can ensure it can be greatly reduced using high-quality CBD oil. A single dose can alleviate pain and reduce inflammation in your horse.

Helps with Cushing’s disease

This equine disease commonly occurs in horses aged 17–24 years old. It stops hormone creation and reduces brain functioning, leading to abnormal behavior and unrest. A premium CBD oil may mitigate these symptoms by reducing pain and stress.

Metabolism

Hemp for horses is particularly useful with digestion problems. If your equine is struggling to adapt to its diet, CBD oil can boost immunity while aiding digestion.

Other benefits

Here are some other things that hemp oil can assist with:

  • Arthritis
  • Promotes a healthy coat, tail, and mane
  • Generalized anxiety
  • Stall rest
  • Navicular disease
  • Trailering
  • Improved appetite
  • Separation anxiety
  • Chronic laminitis

How to use hemp oil

When buying cannabis oil for horses, it’s vital to choose a reputable retailer with products labeled ‘Certified Therapeutic Grade.’

Here are a few ways to administer hemp to horses:

Syringes

These are easy to use and store. Simply fill the syringe with CBD oil, and add it to your horse’s water or feed. You can also put it directly in their mouth.

Gel caps

These are typically eaten with food and are easy to store. You can quickly adjust the dosage according to your horse’s weight. Some equines are fussy and may not want to eat gel caps.

The lowdown on horses and hemp

Hemp contains plenty of therapeutic properties and none of the psychoactive ones, making it an excellent choice for humans and animals. If you want to enhance your equine’s quality of life, hemp-derived products are a fantastic choice.

Remember to speak to your vet before making any changes to your animal’s health. It’s important to ensure that your horse receives all the nutrients it needs.

If you’re ready to incorporate hemp into your horse’s diet, why not consider buying low THC seeds and growing your own plants?