Aromatherapy is often used by human therapists to help their clients relax, relieve stress, and encourage health and well-being. But what about your animals? Can you use aromatherapy to help them? Absolutely! In animals, aromatherapy reduces behavioural issues such as anxieties, obsessive behaviours and aggression, and physical conditions such as skin problems, arthritis, allergies, and more.

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Aromatherapy affects chemical changes in the brain, which then causes emotional, physical and psychological changes in the body.

 

Instincts and emotions such as pain, pleasure, anger, or fear can be heightened or subdued. Stress, a major cause of disease, is reduced through the use of Essential Oils, and a sense of well-being is introduced. Reducing these stressors then allows the body to begin to heal naturally. 

Essential Oils support the whole body in an effort to heal the problem and restore the body to health, instead of simply treating or masking symptoms.

Aromatherapy is not something I use in every treatment, but it can be a useful addition to massage therapy for many reasons.Did you know, horses have an innate ability to self-medicate?In the wild a horse would seek out the appropriate plants, soils, herbs, barks, resins and clays to prevent or reduce the harmful effects of pathogens and toxins and keep their bodies and well being in balance.Essential Oils are pure natural herbal remedies, and the horse can instinctively recognise the medicinal properties of the essential oils they are being offered and select the ones appropriate to their needs, whether that be a physical, psychological or emotional need.

 

I carry with me a small selection of carefully chosen essential oils to treatments and will offer them to your horse if she thinks they will benefit from Aromatherapy.Application Aromatherapy is totally led by the horse. I carry the following oils with me each of which i have selected for their medicinal properties in relation to equine massage therapy.

 

 

Below is a list of the oils and their properties.

 

Chamomile - brings a sense of calm, anti-inflammatory action, calms inflamed skin, eases arthritis, headaches, sprains and muscle aches

 

Eucalyptus - great for respiratory issues, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism and arthritis Frankincense - grounding, calming and relaxing, can help reduce scarring

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Hemp - stress relief, anti-inflammatory action, anti bactrerial, anti-oxidant and great for the skinHops - calms nervous horses, assists with bruising, can have a mile sedative effect

 

Lavender - calming, can reduce itching, eases sprains and strains, reduces stress and tension.

 

Lemongrass - helps to reduce muscular aches and pains, gastrointestinal disorders and also assists with physical and mental exhaustion, Lemongrass lifts the spirits and gets things moving again

 

Nutmeg - helps to relive gastrointestinal spasms, rheumatism, arthritis and muscular aches and pains. Can also assist with nervousness and tension, supporting motivation and focus during especially challenging times

 

Rose Otto - assists with emotional trauma, and stress, has uplifting, rejuvenating and energising properties, helps the skin stay soft, smooth and optimally hydrated. Rose Otto is considered the choice oil for use during times of grief.

 

Sandalwood - relieves psychological stress and considered deeply grounding, helps reduce scar tissue and relieve sensitive skin

 

Violet Leaf - reduces nervous exhaustion, encouraging security, courage, confidence, centering and gentleness. Helps reduce bruising and sore skin, reduces rheumatic pain

 

Yarrow - anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, useful during times of major life changes, when emotional equilibrium needs greater support. Great for inflamed/injured muscles, rheumatism, arthritis, scarring and wound care

 

I will offer the essential oil(s) i think your horse will most benefit from and see their reaction to the aroma. A horse that is very interested in a particular essential oil will deeply inhale it and may try to lick the oil. If she thinks it is appropriate she will also combine the chosen essential oil with a scent free, safe carrier oil and apply topically to any areas of tension found on the horse.All oils used are human grade and unlikely to cause any reaction to your horse’s skin. But you will be asked to consent to any oils being applied to your horse’s skin.

 

Benefits:

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There are many benefits to Aromatherapy, these include:

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Compliments massage therapy

Pain Management

Reduces stress, agitation, and anxiety

Soothes sore joints

Treats headaches and migraines (yes horses can get headaches)

Fights bacteria, virus, or fungal infections (this treatment should not replace veterinary care)

Improves digestion

Boosts immunity

 

I will often use a combination of therapies during a treatment as required and will continually assess both the physical and psychological state of your horse to ensure that the treatment is both effective and enjoyable for your horse.

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If you would like your own blend or consultation for your horse or your dog, please get in touch, using my pendulum, kinesiology and communicating with your pets i can make a blend to suit your furbabies. (for cats i can make a hydrosol blend or see my flower essences therapy)

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SAFETY FOR PETS
 
The same essential oils and blends that we use on ourselves are not always safe to use on our dogs, cats, birds, horses or other pets. Cats, for instance, are especially sensitive to essential oils. Many essential oils, including tea tree, are said to be quite toxic to cats. My understanding is that their systems, particularly their kidneys, are not able to safely process essential oils.

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​Like veterinary medicine, animal aromatherapy should be considered its own field. Even if you have a solid foundation in aromatherapy and essential oil safety for humans, special care and knowledge needs to be considered when utilizing aromatherapy and essential oils on or near our precious pets.
 

Always consult a veterinary if needed this does not substitute veterinary care