Veterinary session

Cannabidiol (CBD) is becoming wildly known among horse owners, mainly due to its therapeutic properties, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anxiolytic effects. Thanks to these characteristics, it can be proven to be a pontential alternative to the convetional treatment to certain diseases, including osteoarthritis, or even to the restlesness and various behavioural disorders in horses. The aim of this study was to describe the pharmacokinetics of CBD in Connemara ponies.

During the study ten healthy horses received a single oral dose of 2mg/kg oil-based CBD. Blood samples were collected before (0) and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 168, 288, 336, 384 hours after CBD administration. Plasma CBD and metabolites such as 7-hydroxycannabidiol (7-OH-CBD) and 7-carboxy-cannabidiol (7-COOH-CBD) were quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/HRMS).

After administration, peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of CBD was 24,47±3,721 ng/ml in 2 hours (Tmax). The metabolit 7-OH-CBD was detected between 1-24 hours, however the 7-COOH-CBD was present in all plasma samples up to 384 hours.

The CBD-oil was well tolerated, the blood chemistry parameters were mostly within normal range, except urea and chloride where differences were observed after treatment. Throughout the physical examination a decrease in the heart rate was observed after CBD administration. This study can be used to determine safe and precise dosage of CBD in horses, and to further broaden the use of CBD in ponies.