Essential Oils have been in use since the time of Hippocrates the Father of Medicine, who is said to have used Oregano in his practice to treat patients. However, over time the healing benefits of these Natural Immune Supporters have been over looked due to the amount of pharmaceuticals available. It’s almost as if we have forgotten how powerful Plants and their Essential Oils can be in helping both humans and animals maintain optimal health and function.
I have been lucky enough to have owned my own horses most of my life. In fact it was through searching out treatment for horse’s back that lead me to train to become a McTimoney Chiropractor for both Humans and Horses.
Since my move into the Health and Well Being Sector for Horse and Rider, I have come across wonderful healing tools, both scientific and holistic. When I come across something that I find genuinely beneficial, I of course want to share that news far and wide. This is why I am writing about Essential Oils and how they can benefit both you and your horse.
What Are Essential Oils?
“Essential Oils are naturally occurring, volatile, aromatic compounds that are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of Plants.”
doTerra.com
Well plants grow all over our Blue Planet, and many of these plants have wonderful healing remedies that in ancient times would have been used by healers to help the sick to recover from various afflictions.
Horses were Plains Grazers, which meant that they would travel the grasslands, eating vegetation, quite often being naturally drawn to the herbs or shrubs that were beneficial for them, self medicating as it were. So I believe that tendency is naturally built into all life, but with modern living, this has been somewhat suppressed, especially with the stressful lives that both Equestrians and their horses lead.
Essential Oils are extracted from beneficial plants to utilise the healing properties of those plants to treat a variety of conditions. These oils can even help to support both you and your horse’s emotional state!
The use of Essential Oils has been becoming more popular in recent years; in fact, I bet at least some of you have used one of the most widely used Essential Oils, Tea Tree Oil.
I personally have used Tea Tree Oil, to treat many things, both on myself and my horses. As it is a natural Antibiotic, my main use for my horses is when I add Tea Tree to a base cream and used it for the treatment of cuts and abrasions! I can honestly say that each time I use it; the results have always been fantastic, which means for cuts at my yard, it is my cream of choice.
Not All Essential Oils Are Created Equal!
Yes it’s true, there are a lot of Essential Oils out there on the Market, but they are not all created equal. It is important for both your health and the health of your horse that you aim to use the purest of what is on the market.
When I was doing my research the one company that was coming up for the quality of its Essential Oils was doTerra.
All of the doTerra Essential Oil Products carry the CPTG Stamp, which simply means Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. What this means for you, is that you will achieve consistent results when using these oils, because they are made from only the highest quality ingredients.
How Can Essential Oils Help Your Horse?
Essential Oils can help to support many of systems of the horse’s body. The oils can be used Aromatically, i.e. allowing your horse to inhale them, Topically by application to the skin, and certain oils can also be given internally.
Some of the more widely used Essential Oils for Horses that I have come across recently are as follow;
Melaleuca ( Tea Tree)
As I said before, I have personally found Tea Tree to be wonderful when treating wounds. It is said to be one of nature’s natural Antibiotics. I make my own Wound Cream using a few drops of Melaleuca ( Tea Tree) in a tub of a base aqueous cream, that you can purchase at any pharmacy.
It has always worked a treat for me and my horses. This oil can also be used to cleanse and purify and when taken internally it supports the immune system.
DigestZen
This a digestive blend by doTerra, it contains Fennel, Corriander and Ginger, which help to ease any abdominal discomfort.
This blend also contains Peppermint, Anise, Caraway and Tarragon, which help to support the digestive processes, so that the system runs smoothly. DigestZen can be used Aromatically, Internally and Topically and can be given on a continual basis to maintain the digestive health in both your horse and yourself!
doTerra On Guard
This is a lovely Essential Oil Blend. It has been designed by doTerra to support the immune system to guard against disease while maintaining health, especially with seasonal changes.
OnGuard is also said to promote healthy circulation and I can definitely say that when used with a diffuser gives a lovely uplifting scent to your room. This blend can be use aromatically, internally and topically.
Lavender
Lavender has been used widely for it calming and relaxing qualities especially when there is stress in the environment. It is also helpful in treating minor skin conditions.
This oil can be used Aromatically, Internally and Topically. For an example, Lavender Oil can be diluted as a spray and used on the head collar of a horse that gets stressed travelling or loading.
doTerra Breathe.
This is a super blend by doTerra it is intended to support a Healthy Respiratory System, and helps to maintain the feeling of clear airways, especially with seasonal changes.
This blend contains Laurel Leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Melaleuca, Ravensara and Cardamom. This blend can be used with a diffuser, and when added to coconut base oil, it can be applied topically also.
In my own use and research for this article these are just a few of the many hugely beneficial Essential Oils on the market. They are a natural way for you to support both you and your horse’s health, which is always a positive. For more information on these and other Essential Oil Blends for you and your horse, you can contact The Oiler Movement on Facebook>>
**Please Remember if in doubt always contact your Vet, especially if your horse is on medication or is competing in National or International competition, as some oils, can be contraindicated or can be considered performance enhancing.
NB* This article was originally published in the May 2019 Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine.