Cannabis use for human athletes is increasingly popular because of its numerous therapeutic benefits. It’s a well-known and documented remedy used for centuries in both human and equine patients alike.
However, it’s a newly revived trend for horse and rider athletes in the modern equestrian community. As the stigma and legalization of cannabis continue to evolve, equestrian athletes are increasingly recognizing its potential to improve performance, recovery, and overall well-being.
This article explores cannabis use in the equestrian world, its benefits for human and equine athletes, and how the industry navigates the changing landscape of cannabis regulations within equestrian organizations.
Many athletes across various sports use cannabis for pain relief, reducing inflammation, managing anxiety, improving sleep, aiding recovery, and other sports-related side effects. As cannabis use continues to gain traction in non-equestrian sports, numerous organizations have started adjusting their policies to accommodate athletes who incorporate it into their routines.
In contrast, the modern equestrian community has only recently begun recognizing its benefits. In equestrian sports, horses and riders compete as a team, relying on each other as partners. Human equestrians typically focus more on their horses’ health and well-being than their own. This may have slowed the acceptance of cannabis use for human equestrian athletes. The same could be true for equine athletes, as supplements and cannabis products for horses are relatively new.
The reality is that horses are herbivores that naturally evolved to eat Cannabis on the Central Asian steppe thousands of years ago – and humans also recognized its equine veterinary potential for hundreds of years, too. However, as medical and recreational marijuana and hemp have recently become more widely legal, conversations about its benefits have grown. This newly increased awareness has prompted more equestrians to discuss and explore cannabis as a potential source of relief for themselves and their equine partners.
Overall, the equestrian community’s perception of cannabis has evolved notably in recent years. This was also likely influenced by changing regulations regarding cannabis within equestrian organizations.
Like athletes in other sports, human equestrians benefit from cannabis’ therapeutic effects for common ailments such as:
Pain and Inflammation Relief: Riders often experience joint pain or arthritis from repetitive movements and physical strain in and out of the saddle. Cannabis, including its active ingredients tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and especially cannabidiol (CBD), helps reduce pain and inflammation, providing relief for sore joints.
Muscle Recovery: Intensive riding and training can commonly lead to muscle soreness. CBD aids in muscle recovery by reducing pain and inflammation, thus speeding up recovery times. CBD, cannabigerol (CBG), and other whole-plant components like beta-caryophyllene have also been shown to improve DOMS symptoms in a recent small clinical trial.
Anxiety Reduction: Performance anxiety is common among equestrian athletes. Cannabis helps reduce anxiety, allowing riders to stay focused before and during competitions or providing stress relief afterward.
Sleep Quality Enhancement: Riders need quality sleep for recovery and performance, and many competitions are multi-day or even week-long events. Cannabis can improve sleep by easing pain, anxiety, and insomnia, helping riders rest better before the next day’s competition.
However, in equestrian sports, drug testing of human and equine athletes is allowed, ensuring fair competition and protecting the welfare of the horses. The protocols and regulations for testing differ between organizations.
In the past, drug-testing agencies typically tested upper-level equestrian riders, including those at international or Olympic levels, less frequently than athletes in other sports. Instead, they more commonly tested the horses, while riders—especially those competing at lower levels—rarely underwent the same level of testing, even at rated competitions.
A few years ago, ahead of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) announced an increase in drug testing for human athletes to comply with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, which are essential for equestrian sports to remain Olympic.
Equestrian athletes must inform their doctors to ensure that cannabis use complies with WADA standards. If they require cannabis for medical reasons, they must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). However, TUEs are generally not granted for THC, which is banned only in competition.
The 2018 Farm Bill removed industrial hemp (defined as cannabis with 0.3% THC or less) from the list of controlled substances, classifying it instead as an agricultural commodity. This shift in legal status has led to hemp’s expanded use, particularly for CBD extraction in animal products. Today, equine athlete owners and trainers are increasingly turning to CBD for its therapeutic benefits, such as pain management, anxiety relief, and other health concerns.
Horse owners most commonly use CBD as a cannabis product for their animals. Although many still view it as a controversial treatment, it’s becoming an increasingly popular addition to the health routines of equine athletes. While CBD research in equine patients is still in its infancy, so far it appears to be safe, effective, and well-tolerated in several case studies up to 2024.
CBD pellets and horse treats are a standard consumption method for horses that offer an easy and convenient way to incorporate CBD into the equine diet. These pellets are often designed to be palatable for even picky eaters and are simple to administer, making them a popular choice. CBD oil is also becoming a popular consumption method for horses.
Some of the most common benefits of equine CBD are:
READ: Survey Shows Sports Medicine Physicians Increasingly Favor CBD for Athletes
Despite the significant lack of extensive research, CBD use in horses is becoming increasingly common. In equine health, research on CBD for horses primarily examines its safety and efficacy, such as its effects on sedation, heart rate, behavior, and potential for treating pain.
One study at Colorado State University found that two different doses of CBD (1 mg/kg/day and 3 mg/kg/day) showed no adverse effects on horses after six weeks. However, liver enzyme values temporarily increased in some horses.
A study from Louisiana State University found that 150 mg of CBD daily for 56 days had no adverse effect on body weight or blood chemistry and did not cause significant changes in sedation or ataxia. Research from Murray State University examined CBD’s impact on horse behavioral disorders, which are common in equine athletes, and concluded that CBD reduces anxiety and reactivity without negatively affecting heart rate.
CBD also shows potential for helping horses with colic-related pain, as colic is a common and potentially life-threatening condition in horses. Colic causes abdominal pain and occurs more frequently in performance horses that travel and compete regularly due to stress, changes in diet, and routines. A 2021 study identified cannabinoid receptors in the equine ileum, indicating a role in gut health, such as colic relief and inflammation management. Furthermore, boiled cannabis roots have been used to alleviate colic and other maladies in horses since the 1500s.
Another case study from 2019 shows significant improvement in a horse with mechanical allodynia (touch-related nerve pain) after 36 hours of CBD treatment, reducing hypersensitivity and pain. Mechanical allodynia occurs when a non-painful stimulus, like touch, triggers pain due to hypersensitivity. CBD could benefit performance horses by potentially aiding in relief from minor nerve damage and inflammation caused by injuries, laminitis, or chronic pain conditions common among equine athletes.
Another study discovered a significant discrepancy between the intended and tested CBD levels in an oral supplement, highlighting the need for further investigation into CBD pharmacokinetics, metabolism, supplement stability, and its long-term use in horses. No health issues were observed in these horses, and previous research suggests these CBD levels are likely safe.
While many horse owners and studies report CBD’s therapeutic benefits, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness, safety, proper dosage, and the accuracy of CBD levels in equine supplements.
Hemp also offers benefits for equine athletes. Horse athletes can benefit from hemp by adding a rich source of essential fatty acids, protein, and fiber to their diet. It supports muscle recovery, joint health, and overall well-being. Hempseed oil, in particular, is recognized for its balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid profile, helping to reduce inflammation and promote a healthy coat.
Hemp hulls are another great addition to the equine athlete’s diet because they provide a good source of fiber, supporting digestion and overall gut health. As a ‘cool feed,’ they don’t add extra heat to the horse’s system, making them beneficial for horses competing or exercising often.
Like in other sports, cannabis is a commonly banned substance in equestrian sports. Many organizations recently developed policies around its use due to its potential to enhance performance (i.e., less anxiety).
Each rated or international competition has its policies on banned substances, including cannabis. While some organizations maintain strict bans, others are shifting their stance, recognizing cannabis’s potential therapeutic benefits in their regulations.
Some of the major associations for equestrian sports and their current stance on cannabis use include:
FEI Policy Update: In 2022, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) reclassified cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDa) from banned substances to controlled medications, acknowledging their medical value.
USEF Regulations: The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) maintains that CBD and related cannabinoids are prohibited in competition, citing potential effects on horse performance.
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA): Starting January 1, 2020, horses competing at AQHA-approved shows that test positive for cannabinoids or related substances violate AQHA Rule VIO401.1. The rule bans any substance that could affect a horse’s performance.
Restrictions on Veterinarian Recommendations: In many states, veterinarians cannot prescribe or recommend CBD for horses due to the FDA’s lack of approval for animal use. However, some states like California and Nevada allow veterinarians to discuss cannabis with clients.
Equestrians who have found relief from cannabis for themselves and their horses hope that as cannabis gains broader legalization and recognition, competition policies will adapt accordingly.
The equestrian community’s growing acceptance of cannabis underscores its potential to support both human riders and their equine companions. Cannabis shows promise in enhancing recovery and other ailments for riders, while also aiding pain management and overall well-being in horses.
However, ongoing research is crucial to ensure its safe and effective use for horses, as there is still limited knowledge of equine use. With further research, hopefully, greater integration of cannabis in the sport will shift equestrian organizations’ regulations toward allowing cannabis use for horses and riders.
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