Dosing Guidelines: How Much CBD Should I Give My Horse?

Now, the most important part, “How much CBD should I give my horse?”

Animals are more sensitive to CBD — horses in particular. Horses require lower and less frequent doses of CBD than other animals, according to Dr. Luedke, a veterinarian and leading expert on CBD for horses.

Dr. Leudke stated that horses need longer dosing intervals than other species and seem to be more sensitive on the “per kilogram” dosing model.

For example, if a CBD dose of 1-2 milligrams per kilogram works well for dogs, horses need a lower dose —  ranging from 0.25-1 milligrams per kilogram.

Horses’ sensitivity to CBD may or may not be attributed to the way they digest food. As hindgut (large intestine) fermenters, horses get the majority of their energy through fermentation, not digestion like other animals do.

So, when you start giving your horse CBD, make sure you start low and increase the dose gradually. Starting with low CBD doses allows you to track your horse’s progress and adjust the dose when you start to see benefits.

Many people will start with the baseline dose of 40 mg and increase until you reach the desired results. The best dosage for horses are as follows:

• Minis (400-660 lbs) — 25 to 50 mg
• Full-sized (660-1110 lbs) — 75 to 170 mg
• Large breeds (1100-1800) — 120 to 200 mg

Example Starting Doses: CBD Tinctures, Capsules/Pellets, & Concentrates

	Horse size	CBD Tinctures   1 mL = 33 mg/mL	CBD Pellets   1 scoop = 25 mg CBD	CBD Capsules   1 capsule = 25 mg CBD	CBD Paste   100 mg of CBD per 20 cc
	Minis (400 – 660lbs)	Half a dropper twice a day OR 1 full dropper once a day	0.5 – 1 scoop / twice a day	1 capsule per day	10 cc once a day
	Full-Sized (660 – 1110 lbs)	1 – 2 full droppers twice a day	1.5 – 3 scoops twice a day	3 capsules per day	15-30 cc once a day
	Large Breeds (1100 – 1800)	2 – 3 full droppers twice a day	2 – 4 scoops twice a day	4 capsules per day	25 – 40 cc once per day

*cc – cubic centimeters, usually marked on the tube.

How Do I Give My Horse CBD?

There are several different CBD products for horses available on the market, including:

• CBD oils
• CBD sprays
• Topical CBD balms & salves

One of the most favorable administration methods for horses is sublingual. Sublingual administration has a quick effect and is generally considered safer for your horse’s sensitive gut.

Usually, CBD pet oils are administered sublingually (under your horses tongue). These two types of products hold well in the animal’s mouth and provide better absorption. When absorbed through the mucosa in the oral cavity, CBD directly reaches the bloodstream faster and more efficiently.

With the right dosage of CBD via sublingual administration, you may notice an improvement in your horse’s symptoms within about half an hour.

CBD powders and pellets are usually mixed with feed and administered orally. The success of oral consumption of CBD depends on the dosage and whether or not the horse took the remedy on an empty stomach.

When administered through the mouth, CBD gets broken down by the horse’s digestive system. That’s why it takes longer to work and reaches the bloodstream and may not offer as potent an effect.

Also, don’t give CBD to a pregnant horse or horse intended for breeding — a safe use in these cases hasn’t yet been proven. 

Sources Cited in this Article:

1. Bergamaschi, M. M. (2011). Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa Constituent. Current Drug Safety.
2. Ellis, K. L. (2020). Treatment using cannabidiol in a horse with mechanical allodynia. Equine Veterinary Education . doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/eve.13168