Evaluation of an Oral Supplemental Cannabidiol Product for Acceptability and Performance in Mature Horses.
Authors: Leise Julia M, Leatherwood Jessica L, Paris Brittany L, Walter Kelly W, George James M, Martinez Rafael E, Glass Kati P, Lo Chih-Ping, Mays Travis P, Wickersham Tryon A
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Cannabidiol Supplementation in Mature Horses Researchers from Texas A&M investigated whether oral CBD supplementation affects acceptance, blood chemistry, and systemic safety in mature horses, using 30 stock-type geldings (mean age 15 years, bodyweight 556 kg) randomized across three treatment groups receiving either high-dose CBD (1.50 mg/kg bodyweight), low-dose CBD (0.75 mg/kg), or placebo canola oil over 28 days. Independent laboratory analysis revealed significant discrepancies between manufacturer-labelled CBD concentrations and actual content—the formulated supplements contained only 0.13 and 0.12 mg/kg respectively, roughly one-tenth the intended doses. Despite these lower-than-expected concentrations, the canola-based product demonstrated excellent palatability with no adverse effects on body weight, body condition score, or standard blood chemistry parameters, whilst screening confirmed no banned substances were detectable in serum samples. These findings suggest CBD oil supplements are safe for equine use under current regulatory conditions, though the substantial gap between formulated and actual CBD content raises important quality-control questions for manufacturers and highlights the need for stricter third-party testing standards within the equine supplement industry. Practitioners considering CBD products should remain cautious about efficacy claims, given the uncertainty around actual dosing and the limited evidence base for performance or therapeutic benefits at these lower consumption levels.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •CBD oil supplements for horses are palatable and safe at tested dosages, with no detectable banned substances in blood—relevant for competition horses, though verify actual CBD content with manufacturers due to labeling discrepancies
- •Significant gap exists between formulated CBD levels on labels and actual tested concentrations; request third-party testing before purchasing to ensure horses receive intended dosages
- •Standard blood work shows no safety concerns with oral CBD supplementation in horses, making it a potentially viable option for routine use pending further research on efficacy and optimal dosing
Key Findings
- •Actual CBD concentrations in tested samples (0.13 and 0.12 mg/kg) were substantially lower than manufacturer-formulated levels (1.50 and 0.75 mg/kg respectively)
- •Canola-based CBD oil was well-accepted by mature horses with no adverse effects on feed intake or palatability
- •No banned substances were detected in blood serum following 28 days of CBD supplementation at tested levels
- •Blood chemistry parameters remained within normal ranges with no adverse effects from CBD supplementation