Mulberry Aromatics

Horse Health Naturally

One of my first introductions to Parelli’s Natural Horsemanship was seeing a picture of Pat playing with a black stallion, who’s attention was totally on Pat and his face was alive with interest. The impact that picture made, has stayed with me, and it is with great joy that I’ve been able to experience first hand similar expressions with horses as I help them and their owner find the aromatic solution to a physical or emotional imbalance in their horses’ life.
 
Being totally honest, when I completed my formal aromatherapy training I was thoroughly disillusioned with the whole subject of aromatherapy and essential oils, as in short it had completely removed the wonder of this therapy. Working with horses using aromatics has renewed my awe and fascination with these amazing plant remedies that Mother Nature has provided us with. Essential oils or aromatic waters are pure, concentrated organic compounds which have been extracted directly from the plant material, usually using by steam distillation. All horses have an innate knowledge on how to keep their wellbeing and health in balance by selecting a wide range of grasses, herbs and minerals in their diet. When there is an imbalance then they intuitively know how to self-select their remedies and recognise within essential oils or aromatic materials the organic chemical compounds that they need to heal themselves.

It’s now scientifically proven that the immune system and the emotions are directly related and whilst most conventional treatments are able to help a physical problem, there are not always the tools to help an emotional problem. Generally, we do not give enough credibility to animals for experiencing emotions, but everybody who is close to horses knows just how emotional they are. They experience jealousy, fear, joy, grief, anger just like the rest of us, though they can’t always express it as easily as we can, so it may present as a behavioural problem or as a physical symptom. A typical case that I have helped was a horse who suffered chronic Mudfever and spooked at the slightest thing. The horse selected essential oils to strengthen his immune system, fight the Mudfever and oils known to help with spooking. In a couple of days, the Mudfever was gone and the skin was quickly healing and the horse was much more confident and forward going. Mudfever can always be a torment to both horse and owner, however in laboratory trials particular essential oils outshone the other remedies trialled as they are very powerful antimicrobial and antibacterial essences. This combined approach then strengthens the immune system by helping the horse emotionally and physically helps the body deal with the mite invasion.

Many common equine ailments; COPD, Laminitis, Mudfever, Rainscald, Sweet-itch and Sarcoids as examples all respond exceptionally well to essential oils and aromatics. Some of my more challenging clients have been horses that are perfectly healthy but may lack confidence or are difficult characters. The essential oils can help and it also bring the owner or carer much closer to the horse concerned, as the owner is offering the horse something to smell or taste, if they choose, which makes them feel infinitely better. There have been many remarkable instances where I’ve helping a physical ailment but there have been profound emotional changes as well. A horse with sarcoids was exceptionally aggressive with other horses and would lash out as well as refuse to load into a horse box. I was helping the horse heal his sarcoid, but the owner took him to a horse show a week into the aromatic therapy and noticed how much calmer he was, not lashing out once and then a couple of weeks later he calmly loaded into his box without any of the usual resistance he normally insisted on! He has since gone on to win his Pre-Novice Championship, something that was only a dream for his owner because of his usual behaviour.

When called to help an animal it is so wonderful to see their interest immediately sparked by the scents of the oils, only the other day a very irritable mare couldn’t get enough of vanilla oil, an essential oil known for it’s therapeutic effects with irritable animals. The mare didn’t know that’s what it was for, just recognised that the scent and taste of this oil made her feel better. Each time I work with horses and indeed any other animal, they always select an oil that primarily helps an emotion as part of the total remedy. I’ve watched horses faces change as tension drops away, when the essential oil has helped them release a long buried emotion, or stood by with their owner as they have remembered past abuse and have hid in the corner of their stable before dropping into a deep sleep, letting sleep heal their emotional scars.

Working with Parelli’s Natural Horsemanship program you are all aware, I’m sure of the thrill of striving and reaching new heights in communicating with your horse using aromatics in caring for your horse you will also be able to heighten this communication. When an animal has a physical or emotional problem then allowing them to self medicate and self remedy then we are able to understanding more carefully what the horse needs or is trying to achieve through our knowledge of the aromatics and using aromatics has also been able to achieve this. By working with an animal to allow it to

If you would be interested in finding out more about Animal Aromatic Therapy then please give me a ring on 07850 640972.