Why Hemp is so great for our four legged friends

A reminder from one of our main club sponsors - Ananda Equine feed, about the versatility of hemp and the benefits it can bring for horses. If you were lucky enough to win a bag of this feed at our last competition this will be great reading. If you’d like to try some, you can purchase Ananda feed from National Farmer’s Warehouse - another great sponsor of the club.

Hemp is a member of the cannabis family, but it contains very low levels of THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. In fact our feed is tested to ensure zero THC in animal feed. Instead, hemp is rich in a variety of nutrients, including protein, fibre, and essential fatty acids. These nutrients make hemp an ideal feed source for horses, providing them with the energy and nutrients they need to maintain their health and performance.

One of the primary benefits of hemp feed for horses is its high protein content. Hemp contains between 20-30% protein, which is similar to other high-quality feed sources, such as soybean meal and alfalfa. Protein is essential for the growth and repair of muscles, making it particularly important for performance horses. Additionally, hemp protein is highly digestible, meaning that horses can easily absorb and utilize the nutrients it provides.

Hemp is also an excellent source of fibre, which is important for maintaining digestive health in horses. The fiber in hemp helps to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the horse's gut, which can help to prevent digestive problems such as colic and diarrhea. Hemp fibre also helps to slow down the passage of food through the digestive system, allowing horses to better absorb nutrients from their feed.

Another benefit of hemp feed for horses is its high content of essential fatty acids. Hemp is particularly rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin, coat, and hooves. Omega-3 fatty acids are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the risk of certain health conditions in horses, such as arthritis and allergies.

Finally, hemp is a sustainable crop that can be grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides, making it a more environmentally friendly feed source than many other options. This is particularly important for horse owners who are concerned about the impact of their animals on the environment.

In conclusion, hemp feed offers a wide range of benefits for horses, including high levels of protein, fiber, and essential fatty acids, as well as sustainable and environmentally friendly production. If you are considering using hemp as a feed source for your horses, it is important to work with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to ensure that you are providing your animals with a balanced and nutritionally complete diet.

Sources:

Gentry, L. R., Mudge, C. L., & Venditti, N. E. (2020). Nutritional Value and Health Benefits of Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Seeds and Sprouts for Animals and Humans. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 68(34), 9125-9135.

Knych, H. K., Stanley, S. D., McKemie, D. S., & Kass, P. H. (2019). The Pharmacokinetics of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Cannabidiol, and Cannabinol in Horses. Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics, 42(4), 445-451.

Moore-Colyer, M. (2019). The role of nutrition in equine colic. The Veterinary Nurse, 10(7), 398-402.

Ralston, S. L. (2018). Equine clinical nutrition: feeding and care. John Wiley & Sons