In 2018, Missouri voters approved Amendment 2, legalizing medical cannabis in our state. I was immediately curious. I had always felt connected to natural remedies derived from the earth, and I knew this was an area in which I wanted to expand my knowledge.
As I entered the cannabis industry, I absorbed everything I could about the plant, its compounds, and its potential medicinal applications. I was excited to be part of a team during the early stages of Missouri’s medical cannabis movement. However, it wasn’t until I personally experienced the effects of a topical THC balm that I began to see a greater purpose.
The day before, I had gone horseback riding and noticed that my wrists ached from handling the reins. At the time, it felt like an ordinary part of my routine: working in cannabis during the week and riding horses whenever I could. That morning, the tension in my wrists was painful every time I moved them, so I applied a small amount of THC balm directly to the area.
An hour or two passed before I remembered that I had used it. What surprised me most was that I had also forgotten about the pain that had been bothering me earlier. The discomfort had eased enough that it was no longer demanding my attention.
That experience changed the way I viewed cannabis.
I have spent much of my life pushing through physical discomfort, including back pain, neck tension, aching feet, and soreness from long hours of physical work. The balm did not erase the underlying causes of those problems, but it offered noticeable relief and became part of how I managed occasional soreness.
Eventually, my thoughts turned to the one being who has supported me throughout so much of my life: my horse.
She was diagnosed with navicular disease at a relatively young age. This condition affects structures within the hoof and can cause ongoing pain and lameness. We tried injections intended to provide relief, and although they helped temporarily, the discomfort would eventually return. I often noticed increased sensitivity after she received new shoes or even a routine trim from the farrier.
I began exploring ways to make her more comfortable. I stopped putting traditional horseshoes on her and used hoof boots to help her navigate Missouri’s rocky terrain. She spent most of her time in a softer field where the ground provided more cushioning.
These changes helped her manage daily life, but long trail rides through the woods were no longer realistic. Over time, she began moving more slowly and showing increasing signs of stiffness and discomfort. Sometimes, we would barely make it a mile down the road before I decided to walk her home.
Watching that change was heartbreaking. This horse had carried me through so many stages of my life, and I wanted to find another way to support her comfort without relying solely on repeated procedures.
That was when the two parts of my life came together.
My experience with topical cannabis relief inspired me to begin exploring the possibility of a carefully formulated cannabis-based equine balm designed to support comfort in horses experiencing localized soreness and stiffness. I believe there may be a responsible middle ground—one that deserves thoughtful, controlled, and evidence-based research.
Understandably, people have concerns about cannabis and animals. There are documented situations in which pets accidentally consume edibles, cannabis plants, or other products and experience frightening or potentially dangerous effects. Intentionally exposing an animal to intoxication is something I strongly oppose. Animals cannot understand why they feel disoriented, anxious, or impaired, and they should never be placed in that position.
My interest is not in getting animals “high,” nor do I recommend allowing horses or other pets to ingest cannabis. My focus is on whether properly developed topical products could eventually offer localized comfort without producing intoxicating effects.
Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in several biological processes. However, research involving cannabis-based topicals in horses remains limited. We still need to understand which compounds may be helpful, how they are absorbed through equine skin, what dosages may be appropriate, and what risks or medication interactions could exist.
I am not suggesting that cannabis should replace veterinary care, prescribed medication, diagnostic testing, or necessary procedures. Those treatments have important roles in protecting equine health. Instead, I believe cannabis deserves to be studied as a possible complementary option—something that may one day be used alongside responsible veterinary care to support comfort and quality of life.
This idea is deeply personal to me. If a safe and properly researched topical could help ease even some of my horse’s discomfort, it could allow me to give back a small portion of the comfort and support she has given me throughout her life.
Horses have carried us, worked beside us, and supported us for generations. We owe it to them to continue exploring responsible ways to improve their well-being.
Cannabis may not be the answer to every condition, and it should never be treated as a miracle cure. But I believe this plant may hold qualities that could provide meaningful support, relief, and comfort when used responsibly.
That potential deserves more research, more thoughtful discussion, and an open mind.