Oils for Horses
In a perfect world, we as pet owners would not have to worry about the health effects that affect our animals. They would be free from pain, disease, mood swings (yes they have those) and other such conditions.
As many horses today are being kept in unnatural surroundings due to location or space of the owners as well as medical conditions, horses don't get the benefits of what the earth once provided when they roamed the hillsides.
Today, we see that many horses suffer from a variety of medical issues and as more research is available, owners are discovering the benefits of sharing CBD/Hemp/Humulus and other essential oils with their equines.
Is it safe?
As with other pets, using CBD/Hemp/Humuls and other essential oils is essentially safe. We always caution with starting any new supplement and you should always observe your pet. While CBD/Hemp/Humulus oils have low THC, it won't make them "high" and essential oils may need more or less dilution depending on the oil and the individual animal.
As of this writing, owners of horses are starting to use Hemp in horse stalls, due to its benefits over regular hay and other bedding materials.
If your using Young Living Essential Oils, they include three different Aromatherapy methods: German (to diffuse and inhale them), English (apply the oils topically, or rub it into your skin) and French (to ingest oils or cook with them). If they indicate any discomfort such as trying to frantically lick it off, rub it off, or are upset at all, dilute the oil further, using your choice of carrier oil such as V-6 Vegetable Oil Complex, coconut oil, jojoba oil almond oil, grape seed oil or olive oil. If unsure, you can use the oil on yourself on your inner elbow are and see if the oil feels "hot" on the skin.
Note: Remember, water drives essential oil in deeper, so don't try to wash it off without soap; and aloe vera or a cold or ice application will enhance the feeling of the oils. For more information, contact us.
Quality of Oils
As a horse-parent, our loved ones need us to take care of them, this includes doing our due diligence on the quality of the product before purchasing any CBD/Hemp/Humulus or other essential oils for use. You should make sure that your purchase has been laboratory tested by external agencies and is from a reputable source.
Every day, we see more and more products with CBD/Hemp/Humulus or other essential oils being sold, some from the same manufacture, but sold under a "White Label" name. When this happens, the reseller puts what every they want on the labels. Until the government can catch up with these types of products, we want to reiterate how important "QUALITY" of the purchase is. Unlike other products, CBD/Hemp/Humulus and other oils are not regulated, which means unfortunately, the market is very much a "Buyer Beware" environment. In the United States, essential oils can be labeled 100% and actually contain only 5% oil. Meanwhile they are not required to disclose other possible toxins used as a filler which can cause adverse reactions in your loved one.
The last thing you want to do, is buy a natural product at a cheap price (just to save a few dollars) only to find out it s not what you what you expected. With CBD/Hemp/Humulus or other oils, you really get what you pay for, you love your animals, purchase from a reputable source!
With the use of Essential Oils, "Quality" plays a important part to what should be used. One veterinary expert, Dr. Melissa Shelton, noted in a Healthy Pets article, "We don't outlaw all pet food because there are low quality brands on the market ‐ we just pick a better food".
Legal Amounts
Products made with less than 0.3% THC are legal in all 50 states. Humulus oils are usually made from NON-THC plants, which make for a great source of oil.
Side Effects
Use of CBD has shown to be non-toxic and safe for human and animal use as well as been shown to be well tolerated even at higher doses. There are dozens of studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of CBD in treating various conditions. On rare occasions, side effects have included drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, nausea and change in appetite, but these sensitivities are few and far between. If your horse reacts with these symptoms, you should stop giving him the oil.
Note: It is very important to keep in mind that generally usually CBD/Hemp/Humulus and other essential oils is not the factor, which causes these problems. Usually, it is the consequences of bad manufacturing practices or farming with pesticides. Again, "QUALITY IS VERY IMPORTANT"!!!
Dosages
When using CBD/Hemp/Humulus oils, it is a good rule of thumb in the beginning, you should use a small amount then observe, and increase if necessary over time.
With Essential Oils, remember, less is more, gradual is better, moderation is wise, no internal use and always dilute unless discussed with a professional.
You should always remember that 1) oils are usually used as a supplement (which means over time) and 2) that every animal is different so the effects will be different.
Equine Health Benefits
It seems like every day, there is more and more evidence that is coming in showing the efficacy of CBD/Hemp/Humulus and other essential oils in treating the symptoms of various conditions in humans. Since all mammals have an endocannabinoid system, both veterinarians and animal lovers alike have become very interested on how they can leverage the same health benefits for their equine companions.
The following is a list of just some of the symptoms of medical issues that CBD/Hemp/Humulus and other essential oils have been reported to provide relief:
Arthritis |
Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
Seizures |
Asthma |
Inflammation |
Screw Worm |
Anxiety/Stress |
Jitteriness |
Scours |
Cancer Issues |
Joint & Mobility Issues |
Sprains |
Chronic Pain |
Kidney Failure |
Strangles |
Colic |
Laminitis |
Swollen Sheath |
Digestive Issues |
Nausea & Diarrhea |
Separation Anxiety |
Fractures |
Puncture Wounds |
Whooping Cough |
Gastric Ulcers |
Reduced Appetite |
Hoof Infections |
Saddle Sores |
Testimonials
If you do a search of the internet, you can find all kinds of testimonials regarding using oils for our equine friends. Below are just some of the ones that were reported
"A large thoroughbred gelding was attacked by a cougar that clawed a chunk of flesh half the size of a soccer ball out of the horse's buttocks. The horse bled terribly, blood squiring from ruptured blood vessels.
The vet said the prognosis was grim because there was too much torn, damaged and removed tissue. Even if the horse didn't die, the wound would leave a sizeable scar and indentation. Today, no indentation or concavity is visible, only a small circular 2 inch scar."
Veterinarians are also finding CBD hemp can be useful in treating acute ailments like sprains and strains, torn ligaments, bone breaks and even during post-operative care to reduce swelling, pain and stiffness.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK230721/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/
Essential Oils: Animals Desk Reference, First Edition, Life Science Publishing, May 2017
Product Suggestions:
When it comes to choosing the right CBD product for your horse, there are a number of things to keep in mind.
First of all, you'll want to think about the condition/symptoms your horse is experiencing.
For example, if your horse suffers from colic, you'll likely want to use a product that's ingested but also isn't intrusive and likely to cause your pet an upset stomach.
If, on the other hand, your horse deals with chronic inflammation in a joint or other part of the body, you may want to look into topical solutions like a CBD-rich spray or balm.
