What topics does this cannabis study cover?

This study covers research on: CBD.

Where was this research published?

Published in Irish veterinary journal on June 4, 2026.

How accidental feed contamination shows up in equine drug tests

Q: What did this research study find?

This study examined how horses absorb and excrete *cannabidiol* (*CBD*) and *cannabidiolic acid* (*CBDA*) when exposed to low doses through contaminated feed. Twelve horses received small doses of either compound (10-15 mg) twice daily for three days, mimicking accidental exposure scenarios. The res

Plasma and urinary exposure of cannabidiol and cannabidiolic acid in horses following consumption of contaminated feed.

Irish veterinary journal • June 4, 2026 • Moderately Relevant

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AI Summary

This study examined how horses absorb and excrete cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) when exposed to low doses through contaminated feed. Twelve horses received small doses of either compound (10-15 mg) twice daily for three days, mimicking accidental exposure scenarios. The researchers tracked cannabinoid levels in both blood plasma and urine samples over several days. The findings revealed that CBDA was detectable in plasma and urine for much longer than CBD, persisting for up to 48 hours in plasma and showing higher urinary concentrations overall, despite both compounds not being detected beyond four days in any test.

The key discovery is that even at doses far too low to produce any therapeutic effects, both cannabinoids became measurable in biological samples—particularly in urine where detection was consistent across all horses. This has important implications for equine competition testing, where CBD and CBDA are prohibited substances. The study highlights significant individual variation in how different horses metabolize these compounds, meaning some animals may test positive longer than others from identical exposure levels. Because the actual doses absorbed were well below amounts known to cause any pharmacological effects, the findings underscore that positive tests don't necessarily indicate intentional administration or any performance impact.

These results are particularly relevant for horse owners and equestrian competitors concerned about feed contamination from hemp-derived products or industrial hemp grown nearby. The research emphasizes the need for cautious interpretation of low-level cannabinoid findings and greater awareness of potential contamination sources. The findings suggest that doping control programs and regulations must account for the reality that inadvertent, involuntary exposure through environmental or feed sources can produce measurable results, and this distinction matters for fair competition and animal welfare considerations.

📄 Original Abstract

Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) are non-psychoactive cannabinoids naturally present in hemp-derived products. While these compounds are prohibited during equine competition, horses may be inadvertently exposed through contaminated feed. Data describing systemic and urinary exposure to CBD and CBDA following such low-dose, involuntary intake are limited. This study aimed to describe plasma and urine concentration-time profiles of CBD and CBDA in horses after consumption of experimentally contaminated feed. Twelve Standardbred horses received feed containing low doses (10-15 mg) of either CBD or CBDA twice daily for three days. Neither compound was detected in pre-administration samples. Following exposure, CBD was only sporadically quantifiable in plasma, whereas CBDA was detected in plasma from most horses for up to 48 h. In urine, both cannabinoids were quantifiable in all horses, with CBDA consistently present at higher concentrations and for longer durations than CBD. Maximum observed urinary concentrations were markedly higher for CBDA than for CBD. Considerable inter-individual variability was observed in both plasma and urine concentrations. Neither CBD nor CBDA was detected in plasma or urine for more than four days. Overall, systemic exposure following feed contamination was low compared with doses reported to produce therapeutic effects in horses or other species. Low-dose oral exposure to CBD and CBDA, mimicking feed contamination, can result in detectable concentrations of cannabinoids in equine plasma and urine, with CBDA representing the predominant analyte. Although the study was not designed to establish detection times and analytical sensitivity may differ from routine doping control, the findings demonstrate that inadvertent exposure through feed may lead to measurable cannabinoid concentrations despite doses well below those associated with reported pharmacological effects. These results highlight the importance of awareness of potential contamination sources and cautious interpretation of low-level cannabinoid findings in equine biological samples.

Paper Type

📄 Research

Publication

Journal: Irish veterinary journal
Published: June 4, 2026
PMID: 42243895
DOI: 10.1186/s13620-026-00350-6

Authors (5)

Carl Ekstrand Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. carl.ekstrand@slu.se.
Peter Michanek Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Elin Hernlund Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
Ronette Gehring Department of Population Health Sciences, Division of Veterinary and Comparative Pharmacology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Matilda Salomonsson Department of Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, Swedish Veterinary Agency, Uppsala, Sweden.