Can CBD help Support Horses With Foot Pain?
Laminitis is a common disease of a horse’s hoof but it is often a challenge to prevent and treat. The cause is often from internal metabolic disorders from Insulin Resistance (IR) or Cushing's (PPID). These diseases create inflammation and are a trigger for laminitis. Lameness in horses is caused by short-term, periodic or long-term blood flow disruptions to the laminae, which holds the coffin bone to the hoof wall. When the laminae are damaged, the coffin bone does not stay in proper alignment within the hoof. This may cause extreme pain and even lead to death if not treated.
Laminitis is diagnosed by a veterinarian, who will want to learn about your horse’s overall general health. Inform the doctor of any symptoms or changes in the behavior or diet that suggest a foot problem. Diagnosis may include radiography, or the veterinarian may feel for digital pulses. Veterinarians use a variety of strategies to arrive at an accurate diagnosis of laminitis.
Symptoms of Laminitis in Horses
Laminitis symptoms and signs in horses will differ on a case-by-case basis and depend on the severity of the disease. An acute case of laminitis will show up suddenly. The horse will be reluctant to move, or even unable to walk or may want to lie down to relieve the pain in the feet.
Horses may have a hard time getting up. When touching the hoof, it might feel hot. On the other hand, in many cases the blood flow is compromised and the hoof may not feel warm. Usually laminitis affects the front feet, but it can affect all four feet. There will be significant discomfort linked with this problem, which may be exacerbated in chronic cases.
A simple case might resolve in a week or two, while many cases require months to recover.
CBD and Natural Treatments for Horses With Laminitis
Hemp-based CBD can offer support for laminitis although its effects help with general body discomfort and are not specific for foot pain. CBD is not a “cure” for common horse illnesses such as laminitis but can help improve the animal's quality of life. Research on CBD from hemp for horses is extremely limited because hemp was not legal to grow until 2018 in the United States. But, a recent study on CBD for dogs experiencing arthritis pain is promising for horses and other animals.
Cannabidiol or CBD is a component of the cannabis sativa plant. Hemp and marijuana are “cousin” cannabis plants. The major difference between the two is that CBD extracted from hemp leaves no THC or minute traces in the extracted oil. THC is the chemical in marijuana that causes a person to feel “high.” CBD derived from hemp does not have the same psychoactive properties as THC. Your horse will not be "high" in any way.
CBD is used to help with problems in animals and humans related to:
- Metabolism and appetite
- Emotional state and mood
- Immune system
- Mobility
- Digestion and bowel health
- Irritated skin
If your horse is diagnosed with laminitis, CBD may help with associated problems related to the disease such as pain, inflammation, anxiety and stress, soreness and stiffness.
CBD for horses can be fed economically as a pure powder without any fillers, in pellet form or CBD oil can be added to feed. Horses suffering from laminitis often experience discomfort and joint inflammation in many parts of their body. CBD can possibly make your horse feel more comfortable and boost its general quality of life with no undesirable side effects. It's an entirely natural and organic remedy that works in tandem with your horse’s natural body mechanisms, called the endocannabinoid system.
In addition to hemp-derived CBD, many natural approaches exist to assist a horse with laminitis. It is also extremely important to incorporate into the treatment plan supportive hoof care by a farrier or trimmer experienced with laminitis.
In addition to hemp-based CBD products, here are some additional natural approaches that can support your horse with laminitis:
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitex and many other herbs
- Low starch forage
- Antioxidants such as CoEnzyme Q10
- Minerals such as magnesium and chromium
- Restriction of sugar based feeds
- Various supplements
CBD and Natural Healing For Horses with Laminitis
Horses can recover from laminitis with natural support. It is best to spend time learning about this common but difficult disease and to learn how CBD may provide an extra layer of support to your horse that’s experiencing problems with laminitis.
There are numerous approaches you can take to assist your horse to get better. A correct feeding program, regular rest, minerals and antioxidants, along with some hemp-derived CBD products may help them recover from their illness. It's critical to get high-quality CBD products organically grown from hemp, such as products available at Doc’s Hemp, which do not contain residual solvents, pesticides or other metals. Always use CBD products that are third-party tested and certified. It is always best to consult with a qualified veterinarian and an excellent farrier to help manage the disease until your horse makes a full recovery.
References
https://aaep.org/horsehealth/laminitis-prevention-treatment
https://www.equisearch.com/articles/insulinresistance_090806
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5485