At Hope Botanicals, we believe in transparency. The studies below are published, peer-reviewed research exploring hemp and equine biology. We share them for educational purposes only. Hope Equine makes no medical claims, and these products have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Always consult your veterinarian before adding any supplement to your horse's routine.
Do Horses Have an Endocannabinoid System?
Yes — just like humans, horses have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). Researchers have identified cannabinoid receptors throughout the horse's body, including in nerve tissue, the gut, and joints. Scientists continue to study this system's role in equine biology.
Read the Study — Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2024
Long-Term Hemp Use in Horses — What Does the Research Say?
A peer-reviewed safety study followed horses receiving daily hemp supplementation over an extended period. Researchers monitored bloodwork, liver function, and organ health throughout. The study's authors noted no clinically relevant changes and concluded that long-term cannabinoid supplementation in horses was well tolerated at the doses studied.
Read the Study — PubMed, 2025
Hemp & Stress Responses in Horses — A Double-Blind Study
Researchers monitored twelve horses over 15 days using behavioral observation, heart rate tracking, and cortisol measurements. The study used a double-blind design — meaning neither the horses nor the observers knew which horses received CBD — to explore how supplementation related to stress responses during trailering and novel object exposure.
Read the Study — NIH / PubMed, 2024
Hemp & Horse Transportation — Tarleton University Research
Researchers at Tarleton University, part of the Texas A&M system, studied cortisol levels in horses during transportation — one of the most commonly stressful events in a horse's routine. The study explored two different dose levels and monitored horses for behavioral and physiological responses before, during, and after transport.
Read the Study Summary — DVM360
Hemp & Joint Research — University of Messina, 2024
A peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science followed 20 horses with mild joint osteoarthritis. Researchers observed heart rate, respiratory rate, white blood cell count, oxidative stress markers, and quality of life scores over a 14-day period. The study authors noted that CBD oil was well tolerated by horses at the doses used.
Read the Study — Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2024
Hemp & Horses with Osteoarthritis — December 2024
A December 2024 study followed 24 horses between 11 and 18 years old diagnosed with chronic osteoarthritis. Researchers divided the horses into two groups, each receiving a different hemp-derived cannabinoid oil for 14 consecutive days. Pain scale scores, white blood cell counts, and overall welfare were monitored throughout. No adverse effects were reported in either group during the study period.
Read the Study — PubMed, 2024
How Do Horses Process Hemp? — Cornell University Affiliated Research
A study tracked how horses absorbed and metabolized CBD after a single oral dose, measuring blood concentration levels over a 48-hour period. Researchers monitored neurological status, gastrointestinal function, movement, and bloodwork. No neurological, behavioral, or gastrointestinal effects were observed at the doses tested.
Read the Study — NIH / PubMed, 2024
The studies linked above are third-party research conducted by independent universities and published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Hope Equine did not conduct, fund, or influence any of this research. These studies are shared for educational purposes only and do not constitute medical or veterinary advice. Hope Equine's products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition in animals. Always consult a licensed veterinarian before making changes to your horse's supplement routine.