Wise Guy's Story: Hemp Oil Calmed a Nervous Show Horse

March 11, 2025

The short version: This is a real, firsthand account from Wise Guy's owner — a gifted but deeply anxious dressage horse who was labeled dangerous — describing how full-spectrum HempMy Pet hemp oil, alongside veterinary care, helped him settle and return to the show ring calm and composed. It's one horse's story, not a guaranteed outcome, but it reflects exactly the kind of calm support our Tarleton State University study measured.

Calm black dressage show horse, like Wise Guy, after HempMy Pet hemp oil

How hemp oil helped Wise Guy, a nervous show horse

When Wise Guy arrived at my farm in 2017 as a boarding horse, there were no instant connections or magical moments. Our early interactions were fraught with frustration. His troubled behavior — rooted in dashed dreams and escalating aggression — stemmed from a past intended for Olympic greatness in dressage, purchased for a significant sum in Europe.

Despite his incredible talent, initially showcased under the world's best trainers, an underlying turmoil led to aggressive tendencies that had him labeled as potentially dangerous. My first ride with him was far from smooth, yet amidst the chaos a unique bond formed. That inexplicable connection caught the attention of his previous owner and trainer, and I took on the challenge, unsure where it would lead.

Despite efforts from top professionals, his issues persisted until a veterinarian, Dr. David Da Silva, offered a glimmer of hope. Addressing Wise Guy's physical comfort was a start, but the turning point for us came when we added HempMy Pet full-spectrum hemp oil for horses to his routine. Within days I noticed a difference: he seemed calmer and less reactive, which made for smoother rides and a deeper bond between us.

The real test: the show ring

The ultimate test came at a horse show — a setting where Wise Guy had struggled before. This time he entered the ring composed and settled. It wasn't about sedation; it was about a horse who could finally be himself without the noise of constant stress. That day fueled our aspirations to gear up for competition and aim to return to the Global Horse Show as active participants, not spectators. Today Wise Guy has a forever home at Bocoy Stables, and together we're ready for new milestones.

An honest note: Wise Guy's turnaround came from a combination of things — veterinary care, patient training, the right environment, and hemp oil as one part of the picture. Every horse is different, and this is one owner's experience, not a promise of the same result. Hemp oil supports calm; it isn't a sedative or a cure for a behavioral or medical problem.

What the research says about calm support

Wise Guy's story is personal, but it lines up with measured results. In HempMy Pet's Tarleton State University study, horses given full-spectrum hemp oil before transport showed lower cortisol (a stress hormone) and fewer stress behaviors. If you're exploring hemp for a nervous or high-strung horse, our guides to trailering and travel stress, whether CBD is safe for horses, and how CBD works in horses are good next reads. For the science behind it, see the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and a peer-reviewed pharmacokinetic study of CBD in horses (PubMed).

HempMy Pet full-spectrum CBD oil for horses, 5000mg

CBD Oil for Horses — 5000mg Full-Spectrum

The same organically grown, full-spectrum hemp oil Wise Guy's routine relied on — olive-oil base, third-party tested, grown on our Colorado family farm and studied at Tarleton State.

$199 · 5000mg

Shop Hemp for Horses →

About HempMy Pet

HempMy Pet makes full-spectrum hemp products designed specifically for pets. Founded in 2016, we grow our own organically raised hemp on our Colorado farm, formulate every product in-house, and third-party lab test each batch for purity, potency, and consistency. Our line of oils, treats, and topicals is made to support calm, joint comfort, and everyday wellness for dogs, cats, and horses, and our formulas are backed by two university clinical trials — one with dogs at Colorado State University and one with horses at Tarleton State.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wise Guy's result typical?

No two horses respond the same way, and this is one owner's firsthand experience rather than a guaranteed outcome. On average, our Tarleton State University study measured a calmer stress response in horses given hemp oil — but your horse is an individual, so start low and work with your veterinarian.

What did Wise Guy take?

HempMy Pet's full-spectrum equine hemp oil, added to his routine alongside veterinary care and training — not as a replacement for either.

Can hemp oil help an anxious or show horse?

Many owners use full-spectrum hemp oil for calm support around shows, travel, and other high-stress moments. It supports a settled baseline rather than sedating — see our trailering and travel-stress guide. Note that competition bodies like USEF and FEI restrict cannabinoids, so check the rules before you show.

Written by Marc Brannigan, Co-Founder & CEO of HempMy Pet. Marc founded HempMy Pet in 2016 and built it into a vertically integrated, seed-to-sale organic hemp company — breeding its own hemp genetics, growing them on the company's Colorado farm using organic growing practices, and formulating every product in-house. The company has spent nearly a decade formulating hemp products for dogs, cats, and horses and commissioned HempMy Pet's two university clinical trials.

This is a real, individual customer account; results vary from horse to horse and are not guaranteed. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your veterinarian before adding any supplement to your horse's routine, especially if your horse competes or takes other medications.