Hemp in the Horse Industry

This article is from the October 2019 Horse Deals magazine.

One of the agricultural growth sectors is Hemp. Hemp is becoming useful in a number of industries throughout Australia and the world, and this is starting to filter into the horse industry. This article aims to describe what Hemp is, how it can be used in the horse industry and some of the unknowns surrounding the use of Hemp.

What is Hemp?

There is a misconception that Hemp and Cannabis are the same plant, however, they differ in many aspects. The main area of difference is the level of cannabinoids - Cannabis contains high levels of cannabinoids, in particular Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the active psycho-active compound in Cannabis that creates the ‘high’ experienced by those that use the drug. That being said, other cannabinoids have natural pain-relieving properties without creating a ‘high’. This has major potential in both human and veterinary industry when it comes to managing long term chronic pain.
Hemp, however, contains much much lower levels of cannabinoids. As of April 2017, the Australian Government legalised the cultivation of Hemp in Australia. This exists, as long as the levels of cannabinoids in Hemp do not exceed more than 1% (this varies slightly with different states and territories in Australia).

So now you may be asking, ‘why is Hemp important?’ There are components of Hemp that can be utilised;

Seeds
Hemp seeds have been termed a ‘superfood’ due to their complete amino acid profile.

Fibre
Hemp fibre has been used for centuries for clothing and rope as it is durable, breathable and protects against UV.

Hurd
Hemp hurd can be used for animal bedding and in construction and manufacturing processes.

Oil
Hemp oil is a plant-based source of Omega 3 and 6.

How can Hemp be used in the Horse Industry?

You have likely already started to think of ways that Hemp can be used in the horse industry from the previous paragraphs. One aspect of horse management where Hemp could be used is bedding. Hemp Hurd, due to its high fibre and low dust content has been used in Europe and America as an alternative to straw or wood shavings. There is also some evidence that Hemp, when used as bedding, has antibacterial properties, helping to reduce respiratory disease and thrush infections of the hoof.

Another way to use Hemp is to extract the oil from the seeds. Many of the oils available on the market are produced from the aquaculture and traditional agricultural crops. However, Hemp seed oil presents a balanced omega 6 and 3 ratio of 3:1 and is plant-based. Having the correct omega 6 to 3 ratio can be anti-inflammatory. There are a number of companies here in Australia that produce Hemp seed oil specifically for horses.

As a side, many are interested in the use of medicinal cannabis in the human and veterinary fields. With the legalisation of cannabis in a number of states in the US, there have been a number of products released specifically for veterinary use. Currently, cannabinoid products (other than Hemp) in Australia are registered as a Schedule 8 drug and require strict permits for use and are typically reserved for human medical trials. That being said, the use of cannabinoids for chronic pain appears to have fewer side effects than traditional pain medications (i.e. opioids). This is showing potential for both human and veterinary use. This may result in a change in the legislation here in Australia, allowing for the use of medicinal cannabis to be more readily accessible.

Limitations in the Horse Industry

Currently, Australia cannot produce enough Hemp to keep up with local demand. A large percentage of Hemp is being imported from China and Europe. This can cause an increase in price and there are some concerns around quality assurance. It also makes it difficult to use as a bedding, as large quantities are required and it can be cost prohibited.

Probably the biggest concern with Hemp is surrounding trace levels of cannabinoids and how they are metabolised in the horse. Cannabinoids are a banned substance and if not regulated correctly, could be associated with a positive swab when racing or competing. The racing and competition authorities haven’t passed comment on the use of Hemp products, however, there may be issues, particularly in horses maintained for long periods of time on Hemp seed oil. Even though the levels of cannabinoids in the oil may be low, they could accumulate and result in a positive swab, however it is difficult to know for sure.

In conclusion, Hemp in the horse industry presents a number of opportunities. As the Hemp industry as a whole matures in Australia, we are likely to see more confidence and widespread use of these products in the horse industry.

- Dr. Luke Wells-Smith from Kilmore Equine Clinic

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