Cannabidiol as a treatment for stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in horses

Cannabidiol has been found that oral administration of 2.0 mg/kg once daily was well tolerated by horses. Previously the successful treatment of a horse with allodynia (neuropathic pain) with a dose of 0.5 mg/kg twice a day of CBD has been reported. Here is presented a successful treatment of a horse with remarkable cribbing that did not respond to more typical treatments. Unfortunately, the horse broke his leg after 30 days of treatment preventing a longer-term follow-up. For more on the treatment of horses that crib and other stereotypies see the article above.
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The use of cannabidiol as a novel treatment for oral stereotypic behaviour (crib-biting) in a horse

Vet Anim Sci. 2023 Feb 7;19:100289. doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2023.100289. eCollection 2023 Mar.
Authors
Rodrigo Zamith Cunha 1 , Letícia Locatelli Felisardo 2 , Giulia Salamanca 1 , Gabriela Gomes Marchioni 2 , Orlando Iazzetti Neto 2 , Roberto Chiocchetti 1
Affiliations

1 Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (UNI EN ISO 9001:2008), University of Bologna, Italy.
2 Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University Metodista of São Paulo, Brazil.

This case highlighted the potential use of CBD in cases in which traditional therapies for behavioural disturbances had no success. It was the desire of the Authors that the description of this case would help to stimulate additional research into the use of phyto- and endo-cannabinoids, not only in equines but also in other veterinary species. The dosage used in the horse in this report was approximately 0.5 mg/kg/day (commercially available isolated CBD 200 mg/ml at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg/daily divided to q12h orally). and was shown to be effective in successfully managing and treating the behavioural disorder, yet little information is available on the best dosing regimen of horses. Significant research and clinical trials are needed to establish the bioavailability, dosage, and drug interactions in equine cases, and the potential use for specific pathologies.

The results after 30 days of therapy were positive and no regression in behaviour was seen by the owners after the treatment ended. To the best of the Authors’ knowledge, this is the first published case describing the successful treatment and management of a chronic crib-biting, wind-sucking horse with the oral administration of CBD, enhancing welfare and life quality.