This article has appeared previously with Equestrian Life. To see what’s in our latest digital issue, click here.

In horses, medicinal cannabis has been used for a multitude of conditions, however to date there have been few scientific research studies.

Medicinal Cannabis for Horses

By Dr Maxine Brain

The use of medicinal cannabis has been in the news for several years and now it’s making its way into the horse world. Are we turning our equine friends into pot addicts?

The short answer is no, we are not turning horses into pot addicts — there is science behind the responsible use of cannabidiol (CBD). This article will attempt to demystify fact from fiction that exists in society.

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a recently discovered physiological system of receptors and chemical messengers that exists in mammalian bodies at the cellular level and functions to maintain homeostasis in the body. Homeostasis is the term used to describe the body’s ability to maintain itself and its functions within a narrow range despite changes in the environment. It relies on a series of autonomic adjustments and feedback mechanisms that are well co-ordinated and quick to adapt to changes that the body frequently encounters; in other words, it keeps the body balanced…

Read the full article here in the December 2020 issue of Equestrian Life!