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| What is Equine Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils and a natural, non-invasive aid to health and happiness. Aromatherapy has been proven highly effective in the relief of many physical and behavioral problems. E.g., Skin conditions, allergies, arthritis, immune disorders, laminitis, respiratory, stress, training problems and emotional problems. Essential oils have been used for the promotion of health for many centuries and nowadays more and more vets are recognizing their usefulness in animal welfare. |
| What are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are found in tiny sacs on the surface of plant tissue. The oils extracted mainly by distillation from herbs, flowers, gums, fruits, roots, bark, leaves, seeds and sometimes stems. Most are extracted by water/steam distillation, but some like citrus fruits are cold pressed. Distillation can considerably change the chemical make-up of the original plant oil, producing a very concentrated and powerful remedy. Once extracted, a pure essential oil is slightly oily to the touch. Although technically an oil, it is much thinner than vegetable oils used for cooking, such as canola or olive oil. Essential oils are composed of such tiny compounds that the oil feels thin and seems to disappear when rubbed between the fingers. They also do not leave an oily stain on cloth and evaporate easily in the air. Because they dissipate so quickly, another name for essential oils is volatile oils. That name is a good description of them because volatile means "vaporous" or to be "like gas." Essential oils possess individual qualities that can heal and balance various ailments within the mind and body. Some supporting characterics of essential oils are: they help support a healthy immune system, repel virus, repel bacteria, mood elevating, antiseptic, oxygenating and are high in antioxidants. Essential oils have a positive effect on a horse, and leave no toxic residue in the way synthetic oils do. Why Use Essential Oils? Essential oils have a fast acting therapeutic action on the body and some, like lavender and lemon are adaptogenic, which means they are able to adapt to what the body needs at the time. Essential oils work to support every aspect of the horse. Their effects are often noticed within days of treatment and sometimes immediately after application. When a horse is not feeling well, suffering from a physical or emotional disorder, it will, in its natural habitat, seek out the correct plant or herb to restore its health. Today, however, most horses do not have this freedom of choice and need to rely on us for their well-being. Aromatherapy offers a form of treatment that allows the horse and its carer to combine their efforts in the healing process as the horse actively participates in the selection of the oils that are needed. Sometimes the horse will move its body to where they want you to apply essential oils or the essential oil will discriminate which areas need balancing, stimulating, sedating or healing. For example: Rose oil can help bring mares into season yet can also calm mares that are overly marish. Thus they can act as a natural balancing agent. How are Essential Oils applied on Horses? Essential oils can be applied to the skin, aroma, in their feed, in their water supply, topically and they can even lick some essential oils off your hands. The oils affect bodily functions in various ways depending on which oils are chosen and how they are used. Applied to the skin they are one of the few substances that will pass through the dermal layers and into the bloodstream. They also have the ability to evaporate into the air allowing the aroma to reach the emotional center of the brain. The nose can smell and identify thousands of different chemical compounds. These are thought to be transferred into messages that are sent to various parts of the brain where mood and bodily function may be affected. It is very important to learn the safety procedures of using essential oils. Not all essential oils like Lavender, Tea Tree, Yarrow or German and Roman Chamomile can be applied, "neat", which means undiluted by a carrier oil or base oil. Some very important safety procedures to follow when administering essential oils to your horse: ~ It is recommended to have your vet's approval before using essential oil application. ~ Dilute all essential oils (except for the above listed) in base gel, plain gel, aloe vera gel, shampoo or warm water. ~ CAUTION - Do NOT use essential oils on in-foal mares unless directed by your vet. ~ Always read up on each oil before application. ~ Do not allow the bottles of undiluted essential oils to touch the nostrils. ~ Do not apply to nostrils, in an oil base in direct sunlight, it may cause sunburn. ~ Do not use base oil on wounds, irritated skin, mud fever or sweet itch. ~ Treat all essential oils with the same respect as over-the-counter medications. ~ High does of essential oils (10-20mls) taken internally could result in poisoning. ~ Stop the use of essential oils, if adverse reactions appear. ~ Do not apply for longer than 2 weeks without further professional advice. ~ Do not use essential oils around the eyes or genital area. ~ It is very important to work 'with' the horse - never force him to accept an oil he rejects. (Applying oils that are not wanted could actually bring on the symptoms that they would normally alleviate. ) ~ Do not balance essential oil bottles on stable doors or places where they may easily fall and break. ~ CAUTION: Hold the bottle of essential oil firmly. Your horse may try to snatch it out of your hands with his mouth. |
| Disclaimer: Naturally equine does not make any medical or veterinarian claims to any of the remedies or therapies listed on this site. The remedies or therapies are well known worldwide and are listed for informational purposes only. |
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