CBD & Hemp Oil for Horses — Calming Support Backed by a University Study

If your horse gets wound up around the trailer, the farrier, or a new environment, you're probably looking for something that genuinely helps settle them — without sedating them or breaking the rules. Full-spectrum hemp (CBD) oil has become one of the most popular natural options horse owners reach for to support calm, and at HempMy Pet we've done something almost no other brand has: we put our own hemp oil through an independent clinical study with researchers at Tarleton State University. This page walks you through what the research found, how hemp works in your horse's body, the competition rules you need to know, and how to choose and give it well.

Does CBD Calm Horses? What Our University Study Found

Most equine CBD brands point to someone else's research. We ran our own. HempMy Pet partnered with Tarleton State University (part of the Texas A&M University System) on an independent clinical study led by Dr. Kimberly Guay, Ph.D., P.A.S., at the university's Equine Center, using our full-spectrum hemp CBD oil. The study looked at two things horse owners deal with constantly — everyday behavioral stress and the stress of transport — comparing our CBD against a non-CBD olive-oil control.

Behavioral stress (8 horses). Researchers tracked stress behaviors: pacing the stall, kicking at a neighboring animal, pawing, vocalizing, and aggression (pinned ears, bared teeth, charging the stall walls). Horses given our full-spectrum CBD showed a significant decrease in kicking, aggression, pawing, and vocalization compared to the control group.

Transport stress (6 horses). Over a seven-day oral course, cortisol — a key stress hormone — was measured before and after transport. Pre-transport levels were the same in both groups; post-transport, cortisol was lower in the horses given CBD than in the control. Rectal temperature taken after transport was also lower in the CBD group.

Dose & timing. The study compared two oral serving levels and found the higher serving — about 0.6 mg of CBD per kg of body weight — more effective than the lower one (0.3 mg/kg). Blood CBD concentrations peaked roughly 4 hours after dosing and were non-detectable by 24 hours — useful for timing both a calm window and competition withdrawal.

Findings from this research were published as a scientific abstract — Turner PL, Guay KA, et al. "Cannabidiol supplementation and physiological response in transported horses." Journal of Animal Science. 2022;100(Suppl. 3):33 — with a plain-language summary in IVC Journal and independent coverage from Texas A&M and dvm360.

See all of HempMy Pet's clinical research →

Watch: The Equine CBD Study

Researcher Credentials

This was an independent study conducted by Tarleton State University — part of the Texas A&M University System — using HempMy Pet's full-spectrum hemp CBD oil.

What Full-Spectrum Hemp Can Support in Horses

Owners most often turn to full-spectrum hemp oil to help with:

• Calm & nerves — trailering, new environments, farrier and vet visits, and high-strung or anxious horses. This is the focus of our Tarleton study.
• Joint & mobility comfort — everyday support for senior horses, hard-working performance horses, and stiff joints.
• Recovery & everyday wellness — supportive care as part of a daily routine.
• Skin, coat & hoof — the omega fatty acids and GLA naturally present in hemp support healthy coat and condition.

Hemp, CBD & Competition Rules — Read This First

This matters and most sellers skip it: cannabidiol (CBD) and other cannabinoids are prohibited substances under FEI and USEF competition rules. If you compete in regulated disciplines, do not give hemp or CBD inside your organization's withdrawal window, and always check current rules before a show. The Tarleton study found CBD was non-detectable in blood by 24 hours, but withdrawal requirements vary — confirm current regulations. For pleasure horses, retired horses, and daily at-home wellness, full-spectrum hemp is a popular choice — just keep competition timing in mind and talk with your veterinarian.

How Hemp Works in Your Horse's Body

Horses — like all mammals — have an endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors that helps regulate mood, comfort, and balance. The cannabinoids in full-spectrum hemp interact with this system to support a horse's natural sense of calm — working with your horse's body rather than sedating it. Because our oil is full-spectrum, the CBD, minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBC), and terpenes work together — an effect researchers call the "entourage effect" — rather than relying on isolated CBD. For background on how CBD from hemp works, see Cornell University's veterinary overview.

Why does stress matter so much for horses? Chronic stress can weaken the immune system over time and is linked to real transport-related health problems — respiratory changes, gastrointestinal upset, raised body temperature, and injury (see Padalino et al., 2015). That's exactly why a calmer trailer ride is about more than behavior.

How to Choose Quality Hemp for Horses

Full-Spectrum, Never Isolate

Full-spectrum keeps the natural range of cannabinoids and terpenes intact, which most owners and researchers prefer over isolated CBD. We only make full-spectrum — the same oil used in the Tarleton study.

Read the COA

Equine hemp is an unregulated space, so third-party lab results matter. A trustworthy brand publishes a Certificate of Analysis confirming cannabinoid content and that the oil is clean — free of pesticides, heavy metals, and solvents — with THC under the legal 0.3% limit. Every HempMy Pet batch is third-party tested.

Organic & Colorado-Grown

Hemp is a phytoremediator — it pulls whatever is in the soil into the plant — so where and how it's grown genuinely matters. We breed and grow our own hemp on our Colorado farm using organic practices and manufacture under human-grade standards, never sourcing from overseas. That control is what made it possible to stand behind a university study.

HempMy Pet's CBD Oil for Horses

5000mg Full-Spectrum CBD Olive Oil. Our most potent formula, made for large animals — 5000mg of full-spectrum hemp extract in gentle, palatable organic olive oil (the same full-spectrum oil used in the Tarleton study). The high concentration suits a horse's size, and olive oil is easy to top-dress onto feed. Third-party lab tested, grown on our Colorado farm. $199. Shop the 5000mg CBD Oil for Horses →

This same formula works for large dogs over 75 lbs — see our full hemp for dogs lineup if you have both, or save with a bundle.

How Much CBD Oil to Give a Horse

Horses need far more than dogs given their size, but the rule is the same: start low and go slow, then adjust over a week or two based on how your horse responds. In the Tarleton study, horses received a measured oral dose daily over a seven-day course leading up to transport, and the higher serving tested (about 0.6 mg/kg of body weight) was more effective than the lower (0.3 mg/kg) — though consistency, not a single big dose, is what matters most. Because the right amount depends on your horse's weight and what you're supporting, see the product page for serving guidance, and confirm the amount with your veterinarian, especially if your horse is on other medications.

How to Give Hemp to Your Horse

The easiest way is to top-dress the oil directly onto your horse's regular feed or grain. Olive oil is palatable, so most horses take it without fuss. For a known stressor like travel, the study's approach was a steady daily course in the days leading up to transport — so plan ahead rather than dosing once at the last minute. Consistency matters more than a single large dose; daily use helps the endocannabinoid system find its balance.

Is Hemp Safe and Legal for Horses?

Hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% THC are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill and are non-intoxicating — they will not get your horse "high." Full-spectrum hemp is generally well tolerated. As responsible guidance, introduce it gradually, keep competition rules in mind, and consult your veterinarian before starting, especially for horses on medication or with health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CBD or hemp oil calm horses?
Many owners use full-spectrum hemp oil to support a natural sense of calm around trailering, new environments, and stressful events. In our Tarleton State University study, horses given full-spectrum CBD showed significantly fewer stress behaviors (kicking, aggression, pawing, vocalization) and lower cortisol after transport than the control group — working with the horse's endocannabinoid system rather than sedating it.

Can I give my horse hemp or CBD before a competition?
No — CBD and cannabinoids are prohibited under FEI and USEF rules. Don't use inside your organization's withdrawal window, and check current regulations before competing. It's better suited to pleasure horses, retired horses, and daily at-home wellness.

How much CBD oil should I give my horse?
Start low and go slow, sized to your horse's weight — horses need much more than dogs. In the study, horses received a measured daily oral dose over about a week, referencing roughly 0.3–0.6 mg of CBD per kg of body weight (the higher serving was more effective). See the product page for serving guidance and confirm with your veterinarian.

How long does CBD take to work in horses?
For a known stressor like travel, the study used a steady daily course in the days leading up to transport rather than a single dose — so plan ahead. Blood CBD peaked around 4 hours after dosing in the study. For general calm and wellness, consistent daily use works best.

Is hemp safe for horses?
Yes, at appropriate serving sizes. Hemp-derived products under 0.3% THC are non-intoxicating and federally legal. Introduce gradually and consult your vet if your horse is on medication.

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. CBD is a prohibited substance under FEI and USEF competition rules — observe withdrawal times. Always consult your veterinarian before starting any new supplement, especially if your horse is taking medication or has a health condition.