Cannabidiol (CBD) is increasingly being promoted for use in animals to relieve pain associated with lameness and arthritis. Veterinarians from Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences studied the movement of CBD in the body.

Researchers conducted two experiments with 12 normal horses after CBD was administered orally at two dosages (1mg/lb and 3mg/lb) given twice a day. Horses received the product orally twice a day for 6 weeks. Plasma and synovial fluid samples were collected after 12 and 24 hours then after 5 weeks and again 96 hours after the last dose.

CBD was absorbed variably but in a dose-dependent manner (the more given the more absorbed) and was detectable in plasma, as well as synovial fluid. Synovial fluid levels were detectable at the higher dose (3mg/lb) in eight of the horses. These horses had elevated liver enzymes and mildly decreased circulating calcium levels, but these effects resolved spontaneously within 10 days of the final dose. It is not yet known whether the dose used is clinically effective, but this may warrant further study.

— Yocom AF et al. JEVS 2022:103933

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