CBD Oil For Horses: Dosage Calculator and Comprehensive Cannabidiol Guide for Equine

CBD oil for horses is a natural medicine that’s non-toxic and safe for equine of any age, size, and breed.

But hold your horses before giving equine CBD to your loveable critter — there are a few things you should know about hemp oil for horses first.

Today’s article will explore how CBD works for horses to improve their health and well-being. We’ll discuss how you find the right CBD dose for horses, the best way to administer horse CBD, potential side effects to look out for when adding horse hemp oil to your equine’s wellness plan, and more.

Use the table of contents to jump to a section if you see a specific topic you have in mind, or keep reading to find out everything you need to know about CBD oil for horses.

Getting Started With CBD Oil For Horses

Caring for your equine companion using horse hemp oil has never been easier with the Organica Naturals CBD Oil for Horses Dose Calculator. This simple tool will help you determine the best CBD dose for horses.

Enter your horse’s current body weight and the desired CBD dosage strength you think your horse needs, then we’ll be off to the races!

Ready to calculate the right CBD dose for your horse?

HEEEH-Hh-Hh-Hh — err, fantastic!

Let’s trot to it.🐎

DIY: Use This Formula to Calculate Your Horse’s CBD Dose

There’s a simple formula to calculate the correct CBD dose for horses if you want to get more hands-on today.

Grab a pencil and paper, and we’ll show you how to do it in no time flat.

Calculating the Best CBD Horse Dose

Use this formula to calculate the best CBD horse dose based on body weight and desired strength:

[TOTAL WEIGHT] x [STRENGTH OF DOSE] = RECOMMENDED AMOUNT OF HORSE CBD IN MILLIGRAMS PER DOSE

Generally speaking, 0.1 mg per pound (lb) of body weight is the perfect starter CBD dose for horses of any age, size, and breed.

Most horses take 0.3 mg CBD per pound of body weight on average.

The maximum strength horse CBD dose is 0.75 mg per pound. Maximum-strength CBD doses are typically reserved for horses with special therapeutic needs.

Choose the CBD dose strength you think your horse needs and plug it in to the formula above:

• Starter Dose
  0.1 mg/pound
• Average Dose
  0.3 mg/pound
• Maximum Dose
  0.75 mg/pound

Suggested horse CBD dosages are not meant to be veterinary advice. Make sure you talk to your vet before giving your horse CBD for the very first time.

Horse CBD Dose Calculation Examples

Let’s take a look at a few example calculations for horse breeds of different sizes that require CBD dosages in various strengths.

Our first example is Buster, a Shetland Pony weighing 400 lbs. This little guy is just beginning his CBD wellness plan, so he only needs the minimum effective dose starting out:

Example #1:

Horse breed: Shetland Pony
Horse weight: 400 lbs.
Horse dosage strength: Starting dose
Optimal horse dose calculation: [400 lbs] x [0.1 mg] = 40 mg of CBD recommended per dose

Next, we’ll figure out how much CBD to give Safira, a Paso Fino mare that comes in at 760 lbs. She’s been taking Organica Naturals Horse CBD for about a week, has responded well, and is now ready to go up to an average-sized dose:

Example #2:

Horse breed: Paso Fino
Horse weight: 760 lbs.
Horse dosage strength: Average dose
Optimal horse dose calculation: [760 lbs] x [0.3 mg] = 228 mg of CBD recommended per dose

In this last example, we are looking to calculate the CBD dose for Atlas, an American Cream Draft horse weighing 1,580 lbs. This magnificent beast has special therapeutic needs, so he will be getting the maximum daily dose according to his vet’s recommendation:

Example #3:

Horse breed: American Cream Draft
Horse weight: 1,580 lbs.
Horse dosage strength: Maximum dose
Optimal Horse dose calculation: [1,580 lbs] x [0.75 mg] = 1,185 mg of CBD recommended per dose

The key to getting the best CBD results for your horse is to start low and go slow.

You should gradually increase your horse’s CBD dose over time until the desired benefits are achieved.

This is called titration, and it simply means adjusting and moderating your horse’s daily CBD dose until you find an amount that works best for your equine companion.

Do not exceed the maximum daily CBD horse dose unless your vet recommends otherwise.

What to Know Before Giving CBD to Horses

Always check the labels on your horse CBD products to make sure you know how much CBD is in a single serving.

A CBD horse tincture, for instance, might have 167 mg per dropperful serving, while CBD horse pellets might only have 100 mg per serving. You would need about one and one-half times the amount of horse CBD pellets to equal the dose in one dropper of horse CBD oil tincture.

Remember to keep track of your horse’s CBD usage schedule, too. Write down how much CBD you give your horse, and what changes you observe, such as increased energy levels, improved mobility, a calmer disposition, and so on. These important details will inform future dosage adjustments and provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of your horse’s CBD wellness plan.

What is CBD Oil for Horses?

CBD is short for Cannabidiol, the active ingredient in Organica Naturals CBD oil for horses.

Cannabidiol for horses comes from the Cannabis plant, which has been used for centuries to relieve various physical and mental ailments in humans. CBD oil is natural, non-psychoactive, and will never spook your horse or cause it to feel high or stoned in any way.

CBD is called a major cannabinoid, meaning it’s the most predominant in the cannabis plant. THC, a.k.a. Tetrahydrocannabinol, is another major cannabinoid. But THC is only present in the tiniest of fractions in the hemp-based cannabis we use to formulate Organica Naturals horse CBD oil (less than 0.3% THC dry weight). The psychoactive effects of THC are strictly dose-dependent.

Your horse cannot experience psychoactive effects no matter how much Organica Naturals CBD you administer, because the amounts of THC are simply too small to cause this side effect.

How Does CBD Oil for Horses Work?

Horses are very similar to you and me when it comes to how they respond to the effects of CBD, so they can benefit from it, too!

CBD is pharmacologically active and interacts with horses’ endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS regulates many of your horse’s vital bodily functions, including sleep, mood, appetite, digestion, and pain response.

Giving your horse CBD reduces inflammation and improves overall health and well-being because it binds to special receptors in the ECS. These receptors promote positive health changes as a result of giving your horse CBD.

In the next section, we will explore some of the benefits CBD oil can provide horses of all ages, sizes, and breeds.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Horses

CBD oil is fast becoming one of America’s most widely-used natural medicines in the equestrian community — and with good reason!

Scientific research shows CBD is highly effective in horses for calming anxiety, relieving inflammation and pain, improving joint health and mobility, promoting good digestion, and reducing the effects of seizures or other neurological health conditions.

Anxiety

One of the main benefits of using CBD oil in horses is its ability to reduce anxiety and stress.

Horses get anxious just like we do, and they show their anxiety in different ways, from excessive chewing or teeth grinding, to pacing, rearing, spooking easily, or bolting. Horses may also develop gastrointestinal issues, like appetite changes, weight loss, gastric ulcers, and changes in manure consistency due to anxiety.

Organica Naturals CBD oil for horses is infused with a number of cannabinoids, including Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), and Cannabichromene (CBC). Cannabinoids work together to boost the effectiveness of CBD through a natural phenomenon that scientists call the “entourage effect.” The more cannabinoids there are in your horse CBD oil, the better it works.

These active horse hemp oil compounds have calming effects that reduce stress and anxiety in horses and allow them to cope better with their environment. Cannabidiol for horses reduces cortisol levels (the hormone associated with stress) and improves overall behavior when given regularly over time. This makes horse CBD oil ideal for owners who want to keep their equine calm, cool, and collected.

Pain, Inflammation, Laminitis, and Desmitis

Horses suffer from chronic pain due to age, overuse, or injury just like humans do.

CBD, along with other cannabinoids like CBN and CBG found in full spectrum hemp oils for horses, has anti-inflammatory properties that work to reduce swelling and discomfort associated with sore muscles, arthritis, and joint issues.

Another benefit of using CBD oil for horses is its ability to improve joint health by reducing inflammation caused by degenerative issues such as laminitis, an inflammation around the hoof, and desmitis, which is associated with inflammation of ligaments.

Studies show regular use of CBD may reduce swelling around joints and lead to improved mobility and less pain overall. Additionally, some studies suggest that CBD may even slow down the progression of these conditions over time when used daily.

Gastrointestinal Discomfort and Gastric Ulcers

Cannabidiol oil for horses has gastric protective effects according to clinical research. Scientists have observed horse hemp oil to relieve gastric ulcers and gastrointestinal discomfort symptoms such as cramping and bloating. These benefits of hemp oil for horses may help to improve digestive health and manure consistency over time by relaxing smooth muscles and protecting against stress-induced mucosal damage.

Appetite

CBD oil for horses may help to improve appetite in horses due to its ability to stimulate hunger-regulating hormones such as ghrelin and leptin.

Colic In Horses

Studies show CBD for horses relieves anxiety and reduces inflammation throughout the body simultaneously.

These benefits of CBD in horses may help to alleviate some of the common symptoms associated with colic episodes, including restlessness, anxiety, and exaggerated stress response.

The antiemetic properties of Cannabidiol in horses make it effective in reducing nausea. So, if there are any underlying gastrointestinal issues present, horse hemp oil could work to relieve them.

Itchy Skin and Other Skin Conditions

The anti-inflammatory effects associated with CBD are beneficial when used externally for horse skin conditions.

Research shows that CBD also has antioxidant properties that protect against free radical damage caused by environmental factors such as UV radiation from sunlight exposure. Not only could CBD relieve existing itchiness and other skin conditions, but it may also prevent future flare-ups of similar issues in horses’ coats and manes.

Is CBD Oil Safe for Horses?

You’ve spent a great deal of time, money, and energy to give your horse the best life you can. It’s good horse sense to be concerned about whether CBD oil is safe for horses.

The good news is that independent clinical research shows CBD in horses is safe and effective!

One randomized clinical trial published by the University of Kentucky in the American Journal of Veterinary Research in July 2022 showed zero side effects after giving CBD to senior horses over a period of four weeks time. CBD dosage ranges in clinical trial participants spanned 0.1 mg/kg up to 2 mg/kg given either orally or intravenously. Safety was determined based on CBC (complete blood count), basic serum biochemical analyses, and measurements of heart rate, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature. Additionally, monitoring of serum biochemical analytes before and after CBD doses were administered to the horses did not show any elevation in prominent liver enzymes such as ALP, AST, and SGOT.

Another clinical study performed by the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences School of Veterinary Medicine at Louisiana State University published results in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science in July 2022. The purpose of the study was to determine whether daily oral CBD supplementation would cause adverse reactions, such as sedation, ataxia, or alterations in other health parameters over 56 days of administration in Thoroughbred horses. Complete physical examinations were initiated before treatment that included CBC and biochemical panel evaluations. Researchers found no statistical differences between the group receiving CBD and the control group, and no adverse effects on blood values, including indicators of anemia and blood proteins, liver enzymes, kidney values, electrolytes, or calcium were reported.

An October 2022 investigational clinical trial performed by the Oklahoma State University Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences to study the pharmacokinetic profile of multiple doses of orally administered cannabidiol for horses found it was well-tolerated at dosage ranges between 0.35 mg/kg up to 2.0 mg/kg. No adverse events were reported in this study.

The School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis orally administered 0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, and 1.5 mg/kg doses of CBD to Thoroughbred horses. The March 2021 study objectives were to describe the pharmacokinetics of oral CBD supplementation, characterize select behavioral and physiologic effects, and evaluate effects on biomarkers of inflammation. Researchers noted that Cannabidiol was well tolerated with no behavioral, gastrointestinal, or cardiac abnormalities observed.

M. H. Gluck Equine Research Center of the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky published results in January 2023 detailing the observations of a 90-day study on oral administration of CBD in senior horses. CBD dosage used in this study was 2.0 mg/kg. No negative side effects as measured by CBC or chemistry profiles were observed throughout the 90-day trial period, with blood samples analyzed at 0, 30, 60, and 90 days.

Does CBD Cause Side Effects in Horses?

CBD side effects in horses are extremely rare when it is used as directed because CBD at recommended doses is essentially non-toxic to horses. Only the most sensitive horses typically experience adverse reactions after being given CBD.

The incidence of CBD adverse reactions in horses increases in a dose-dependent manner. Higher doses are more likely to cause CBD side effects.

Less than one-half of one percent (<0.5%) of horses may experience one or more of the following reported side effects:

• Dry mouth
• Increased thirst
• Appetite changes
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Drowsiness
• Sleepiness

Dry mouth is the most common CBD side effect in horses. This can occur when salivary glands don’t produce enough saliva to keep your horse’s mouth moist and comfortable. As a result, you may notice increased thirst in your horse. So, make sure to keep clean, fresh water available at all times when giving CBD to horses.

CBD in horses may affect appetite, causing an increase or decrease in hunger. Changes in appetite are temporary and normally resolve on their own after a few days.

Drowsiness and sleepiness are other possible CBD side effects horses may experience, especially when taking high doses.

Split the recommended CBD dose for your horse into two or more doses spread out over four to six hours or longer if you observe any adverse reactions.

Allergic reactions to CBD in horses are uncommon. But you should speak with your veterinary professional if your horse has been diagnosed with any allergy to foods, plant-based medicines, or anything else in its environment.

You should not administer CBD to your horse if it is allergic to any of the ingredients in your horse CBD formula.

What if My Horse Doesn’t Like Taking CBD?

Most horses love the flavor of Organica Naturals CBD oil and take it directly from the dropper or an oral syringe.

But don’t worry if your horse has a delicate palate that’s easily offended. We’ve got a few of tricks up our sleeve that’ll make giving CBD to your horse a breeze.

Think of it a bit like a — wink-wink — trojan horse.

Add CBD Directly to Horse Feed

One of the easiest ways to camouflage your horse’s CBD dose is to sprinkle the oil from the dropper directly onto your horse’s feed. Mix the feed to evenly distribute the CBD oil and voila! Your horse won’t notice the difference.

Mix Your Horse’s CBD into Water

A good way to lead your horse to CBD (and make it drink) is to add it to its water bucket.

Give the CBD and water mixture a good agitation and stir before serving it up to your epicurean equine.

Try CBD Horse Pellets

CBD horse pellets are another great option if you’ve got a horse with a particularly picky palate.

Horse pellets with CBD have smaller doses of the active ingredient Cannabidiol, so they should be undetectable by even the most sensitive tasters.

The downside to CBD pellets for horses is the dosage per serving is generally much lower than a CBD tincture. For horses larger in size and weight, you will need a lot of CBD pellets to make sure they meet their dosage needs.

Apply CBD Topically for External Conditions

One last trick of the trade that might work is topical CBD application. CBD oil tincture for horses and topical creams and salves can be applied directly to the skin. Absorption and bioavailability are much less than when CBD oil for horses is orally administered, but it can still work like a charm. Topical CBD for horses is generally reserved for skin conditions and on-the-spot treatments to help relieve pain, inflammation, or itchiness.

What is the Best CBD Oil For Horses?

Straight from the horse’s mouth, the Organica Naturals brand is the best CBD oil for horses anywhere!

Your equine companions will love our cannabis — and so will you — because it’s USDA-Certified Organic. CBD oil for horses from Organica Naturals is literally bursting with essential cannabinoids, like Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), and Cannabichromene (CBC).

Cannabinoids work together to boost the effectiveness of our full spectrum horse CBD through a natural phenomenon that scientists call the “entourage effect.” The more cannabinoids there are in your horse CBD oil, the better it works.

What makes Organica Naturals the best CBD for your horse?

We exclusively use organically grown whole-plant cannabis that’s flash-frozen immediately after it is harvested by hand. Our frozen cannabis is then processed using certified organic subzero extraction to protect the integrity of the natural cannabinoid medicines and make sure your horse gets everything nature intended.

Every other modern CBD extraction method damages the fragile plant medicines in cannabis and degrades the potency of the entourage benefits.

With Organica Naturals, you get a virtually perfect phytochemical copy of the plant in every single drop.

BUY: Veterinary-grade Organica Naturals CBD oil for horses

Best of all, CBD oil for horses from Organica Naturals is always 100% free from pesticides, harmful chemicals, and heavy metals — only the best for your equine beauties!

Don’t just take our word for it, scan the QR code on your bottle to see the independent lab test results and verify our claims for yourself.

CBD Oil for Horses FAQ

Browse our FAQ for quick and easy answers to the most frequently asked questions about CBD oil for horses.

Do you have a question that we haven’t answered? Chat with a CBD Wellness Advisor today.

How do I get my horse to take CBD oil?

Most equestrians give CBD oil to their horses using a dropper or an oral syringe.

Mix CBD with feed or water if your horse has a particularly picky palate. You might also try CBD pellets for horses. But remember that CBD horse pellets don’t have as much of the active ingredient Cannabidiol, so you will need more to meet your horse’s dosage requirements. Lastly, topical application is a perfect option, especially for external skin conditions and spot treatments on sore joints or aching muscles.

Can I add CBD oil to my horse’s food?

Yes! Adding CBD to your horse’s feed is a great way to hide the slightly bitter taste of Cannabidiol for horses. Sprinkle CBD oil onto horse feed while mixing to evenly distribute it across the feed pellets.

Can I add CBD oil to my horse’s water?

Absolutely! Add CBD to your horse’s water bucket and give it a good agitation and stir before serving. Any taste or color should be diluted to the point that is undetectable to your epicurean equine.

Can CBD oil for horses be used in competition?

The U.S. Equestrian Federation considers Cannabidiol a performance-enhancing drug. The organization effectively banned CBD for use in competitive racing after September 1st, 2019.

According to the USEF, CBD’s anxiolytic and therapeutic effects may provide performance advantages that affect competition fairness.

Strict testing guidelines for USEF include screening for natural cannabinoids like CBD. If found in your horse’s system, it would be considered in violation of GR4 Drug and Medication testing requirements for licensed competition.

Will CBD oil make my horse tired or sleepy?

Side effects from giving CBD oil to your horse are rare when it is administered as directed. Still, some horses may experience drowsiness, tiredness, or sleepiness after taking CBD, especially if administered at high doses or frequently throughout the day.

Will CBD get my horse “high”?

CBD is a non-psychoactive and non-intoxicating natural medicine. Your horse will not get “high” or “stoned” no matter how much CBD is given.

Is CBD oil toxic to horses?

No, CBD is non-toxic and will not lead to toxicity when using scientifically establish dosages ranging from 0.1 mg/kg to 0.75 mg/kg CBD. Some clinical studies administered horse CBD doses of up to 1 mg per pound with no negative side effects or adverse events reported.

Clinical studies show no adverse treatment effects on blood values that include indicators for anemia or blood proteins. No adverse effects were detected in liver enzymes or kidney values in horses given CBD either.

How much is too much CBD for my horse?

CBD is a forgiving natural medicine and rarely causes side effects or adverse reactions when used as directed.

In the event side effects do occur, they are typically transient and mild, meaning they pass within a few hours after the last CBD dose.

You should not exceed the maximum recommended CBD dose of 0.75 mg per pound of body weight unless otherwise directed by your veterinary professional.