Stock image by akahawkeyefan
A CBD oil product successfully reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol in transported horses.
The study was conducted at Tarleton University, a member of the Texas A&M University System, on a commercial product made by HempMy Pet.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is non-intoxicating and is one of the many phytochemicals found in the cannabis sativa plant.
Tarleton used the company’s Full Spectrum Abacus CBD oil in horses to determine if it could play a role in mediating stressors, reducing the risk of injury during transport and handling and minimizing overstimulation of the hypothalamus, the pituitary and adrenal glands, commonly called the HPA axis.
The research showed that higher doses of CBD (0.6 mg per kilogram of body weight) were more effective overall compared to lower doses of CBD (0.3 mg per kilogram of body weight).
In both doses, CBD was undetectable after 24 hours, with the highest blood concentration levels peaking four hours after dosing.
No difference in the effects of CBD was observed in male and female horses, but there was an increase in food consumption times at both the low and the highest doses of CBD. The higher dose was seen to have a significantly longer feeding time compared to the lower dose.
The research showed that there was a decrease in levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the transport part of the study and that there were no lasting effects of CBD at either level.
Environmental stressors such as handling, transport and housing can affect aspects of a horse’s behavior such as weight gain and feed efficiency, as well as stimulating stereotyped behaviours, such as bar biting, self-mutilation and excessive aggression.
CBD has been shown to decrease anxiety for a variety of stimuli in previous studies of both dogs and mice, and researchers were encouraged to see similar results with horses.
Dr. Kimberly Guay, associate professor in Tarleton’s equine science department, has been researching the use of CBD in animals, including horses. “My research goals are to conduct as many projects as necessary to better understand the physiological and behavioral responses of animals when they consume CBD and hemp processing byproducts such as hemp meal.
“It’s important to recognize the differences in these products so we can categorize them and use them safely and usefully.
“There is still much work to be done and we will continue to fill the remaining gaps regarding these products in our animals.”
Guay praised HempMy Pet for making what she called a responsible and conscientious decision to subject its products to unbiased analysis.
HempMy Pet co-founder and chief operating officer Natalie Mondine said Tarleton’s work was the second clinical trial involving the company, but the first it has done with horses. He said the company was pleased with the results.
“Having Tarleton University approach us to collaborate on a study was very exciting for us, as it shows that interest in the therapeutic benefits of hemp are valid and have a real future in medicine.
“If we look at the science and data behind all the research that has been done to date, it is impossible to ignore that CBD and hemp derivatives have an overwhelmingly positive effect on a myriad of health issues and are a real alternative to pharmaceutical products”.
HempMy Pet offers CBD infused products for dogs, cats and horses. All are made with their full spectrum oil grown in Colorado greenhouses.
