Cannabis and horses update

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flirtygerty

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Following all the advice and opinions on the original thread, I tried giving my dentist phobic 17hh tb cannabis in his feed, along with his friend in the barn with him, my mardy mare. I was impressed with the result, for those that didn't read the first thread, my TB is phobic about EDTs, was sedated, fought it, three injections later he went down in his box, landing on the vets legs, his teeth were done asap, with the vet kneeling on his neck to stop him fighting, while the EDT dealt with his teeth, both horse and vet ended up battered and bruised.
Today I gave a doctored feed, a good grooming and repaired some rugs while keeping an eye on the horses, they stood in the sun and I could see them relaxing, heads came down and they stood dozing, after about an hour, a gentle stroking of my TB's face resulted in him going to sleep, I rubbed round his ears, up and down his face, which would normally bring on his girraffe impression, a flick of his ear and a half opened eye was what I got.
I do intend to try Valerian as suggested by Pearlsasinger, but cannabis is an option in my book, if it eases my old boys stress I really don't care if it's legal, but I feel happier about phoning the EDT
 
Thanks for sharing Flirtygerty - I was wondering if you had given it a try. Those "out of the box" solutions are gold.
 
What a clever idea - I did miss the first thread so perhaps missed than answer. How did you get it? I know supplying cannabis is illegal for humans in the UK - is it legal for horses? PM me if you prefer!
 
Thanks all for your replies, I admit my heart was in my mouth when I tried it, but remembering the last time, when my rather large boy went down, hurting himself and the vet, I really don't care if it's legal or not, if it helps my lad cope with having his teeth done, I will use it, I will discuss options with my new vet, but my lovely old man deserves a stress free life, a friend sourced a cannabis plant ( ask no questions) I dried it off, crumbled it and added it to quick beet, horses suffered no ill effects, (luckily) so it is an option, when I know he fights injections, having had a large very aggressive GSD with the same issues, sometimes you have to think outside the box,
PS
And yes both had the munchies, went through the haynets in record time, both gave up and had a nap, the WB mare lying flat out, the TB standing, head down fast asleep but on his feet, the total opposite of when he was sedated by the vet. I am feeling happier now about booking his EDT visit, although my OH was horrified when I showed him two stoned horses, hey ho, such is life, he had my TB re shod on the front when I've worked so hard getting him BF
 
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ester said:
I don't understand how that is going to be a more effective sedative when you introduce a dentist into the mix??
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I guess time will tell. It is interesting though. I credit cannabis with still having a sister in law so it will be interesting to read of other benefits.
 
Please realise I still have nightmares about my 17 1hh TB having his teeth done under sedation, both the vet and EDT agree that he has had such a horrific experience in the past, the trust I have built up with this lad goes out the window, hurting both the vet and horse, I tried cannabis on my 17 1 TB and my 16 2 arthritic WB, both suffered no harm from my experiment and my OH and I were there the whole time, just in case a vet was needed quick, I gave a small handfull between the two, around half a mug full of a cannabis plant, leaves, stalks etc, dried out, I do intend discussing with my vet if it would be benefical to dope him up before treatment, as he doesn't see it coming, this lad sees objects in hands as a threat and being so big, he knows we can't reach his head when he puts it up.
I have since my experiment, been rubbing around his head, which he is happy with, all I am trying to do is make having his teeth done as painless as possible and I make no apologies for that
 
ester said:
I don't understand how that is going to be a more effective sedative when you introduce a dentist into the mix??
Click to expand...

Ester, this horse is happy with the gag in, the problems start when tools are introduced, adrenelin kicks in and he fights, a 17 + hh horse rearing is not easy to deal with, he is normally a dope on a rope, he sees the vet with a syringe and he goes up on his toes, usually the back ones, because things aren't normal for him, he fights the sedation, the last time after three injections he fell on the vets legs, resulting in both horse and vet being battered and bruised.
It is my aim to have him so relaxed he doesn't react to the vet or EDT and all concerned comes out unscathed
 
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Thank's for sharing - as I said before, really useful information that might make a big difference to another horse one day.
 
That was my point though, whether you do have him relaxed enough that he doesn't react when the tools are introduced compared to normal sedative drugs. Will be nice to have feedback. TBH I can still see me having a flight reaction post cannabis compared to some medical sedatives so I would be surprised if it worked but maybe I'd just need to eat more ;)
 
I am booking his appointment this week, so will report back, asking around, the effect on people is total relaxation, when not used to excess, from what I remember of his sedation, his bottom lip never relaxed fully, he could have tripped over it on cannabis, it was an effort to keep his eyes open and when his friend came to stand beside him, he gave up trying and went to sleep, I'm tempted to try it myself, I could do with a full nights sleep
 
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