Essential Oils for Horses

The benefit of essential oils for helping physical and emotional issues in humans has long been known. Evidence of their use can be traced back thousand of years. Did you know that essential oils can also be used on animals, such as horses, with similar benefits? Essential oils are aromatic liquids that have been distilled from shrubs, flowers, bushes, roots, trees and seeds. They are highly concentrated due to the distillation process and it often requires an entire plant, sometimes more, to produce one drop of essential oil. Without going into a chemistry lesson, essential oils contain a very complex chemical compound and can work on a cellular level as well as being able to diffuse throughout the blood and tissues, often in a matter of minutes. These qualities lead to a powerful and effective natural therapy.

Through evolution, horses seem to have refined an instinctual sense to search out particular plants that will assist in regulating their body systems. Because essential oils are derived from plants, we are assisting our equine friend do what he would naturally be doing in the wild.

For the best results, it is imperative that a good quality essential oil is used. Unfortunately there are essential oils on the market which have been polluted with synthetic chemicals, or diluted to such an extent that it affects their quality and may even prove toxic. At Crown Lodge Equestrian, we use and recommend Young Living™ pure therapeutic grade essential oils.

Benefits to the Horse

Whether your horse has a physical injury or ailment, or whether it has a behavioural problem, essential oils can offer a natural solution. Society is becoming more aware nowadays about the effects (sometimes detrimental) that synthetic drugs or chemicals have on the body. There is no dispute that in certain circumstances the use of drugs is necessary, but for most conditions, why not try a natural alternative?

Another unique property of essential oils is that because of the complexity of their makeup (sometimes one oil can comprise of over 200 different chemical constituents), they often, whilst combating one situation, will have a beneficial effect on another. An example of this is peppermint oil. Peppermint oil has been studied clinically for its anti-inflammatory effects. Yet peppermint oil is also a great oil to use for muscle spasms and digestive upsets, and it benefits the respiratory system. Your horse will love you!

Applying Oils

There are three methods used for application of the essential oil – topical (applied directly to the skin/hair/frog), inhalation (smelling the oil) and ingestion (either in the feed or in the horse’s mouth). The method used will depend on what type of condition is being treated, with some conditions using all three applications. For example, inhalation will return the quickest results but these will be shorter lived than an oil applied to the skin which will eventually be absorbed into the bloodstream. There are certainly precautions when using essential oils on horses and we would be happy to discuss these with you.

For years now, we have been using essential oils on our horses at Crown Lodge Equestrian. Here are some success stories:

• “Marathon” – suffered badly from Queensland Itch when he first arrived however we now apply a lotion containing a variety of essential oils which has provided relief and healing of the affected areas
• “Moonlight” – our school horse receives a regular pampering of essential oils to free any tension in his muscles
• “Amy” – she was a nervous horse that calmed immediately when she was given Lavender oil to inhale
• “Bounty” – the flies loved him, but not after we applied our lotion containing insect-repelling essential oils

There are scores of other success stories stemming from the use of essential oils on horses. Why not try them and see the benefits for yourself?

Raindrop Technique

Raindrop Technique® refers to the application of certain essential oils to various parts of the body using a technique of dripping oils from a height (like rain falling) and then “feathering” and massaging them in. It works on both the physical body and energy field, and because the oils penetrate the skin and muscles quite easily, it does not require physical pressure or force. Raindrop Technique® can be used as a treatment in its own right, or it can be used to compliment other therapies such as bowen therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, shiatsu, reflexology and all forms of massage.

Raindrop Technique® sessions and classes will soon be offered by Crown Lodge Equestrian. Please let us know your interest, and we will keep you posted. In the meantime, if you require further information, please contact us.

How to Order

There is a wide variety of single essential oils, essential oil blends and other products containing essential oils available to be used on horses (and humans)! The ordering process is quite easy and we would love to assist you in this area. We can also guide you in the right direction of other resources, such as books, that contain useful information. For details on how to order, what products to order, or any other inquiries, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Young Living Independent Distributor #685506

Testimonials

"Dear Susan,

I thought I'd drop you a short note to say 'Thank you' for your essential oils workshop last weekend. As you know neither Bella or I have had any experience with oils, but Bella is really loving them, especially the Valor chest rub. I thought I'd also report that after a week of Bella having Valor on her spine every couple of days with Lavender, her vertebrae that was out (and has been for a few months now), is back in alignment... I can no longer feel it when I run my hand along her spine and better still... she no longer flinches!!!

So anyway, I just wanted to say a huge thank you on Bella's behalf for your time and your help.
Kind Regards, Belinda Gregson.

“My first impressions of essential oils were that it was only their aroma that was effective. Until I met Susan I was unaware that certain oils could be applied directly to wounds for great results in the healing process.

My horse Archie has suffered a 5cm cut to his hind leg. Initially I had applied an antiseptic spray that was very messy to use. There was still swelling present and the start of an infection. Susan introduced me to the use of essential oils. She was even kind enough to lend me her own oils until I had received my own.

Peppermint oil when applied on the skin around the wound took away the swelling in one day. The Purification blend when applied directly into the wound drew out the infection over a week leaving the wound clean. This oil also had the added benefit of being a fly repellent. I am currently using Lavender oil to minimise scarring. I'm looking forward to a good result.”

Vicki Lacey.