Anyone tried aromatherapy on their horse?

[TiggerthePony]

I have always been keen on oils but for some reason never really thought to use it on my horse or ponies! I was in the bookshop and found a book aromotherapy for horses for £1 and I thought why not so I read it and followed the instructions and was amazed by the results!

Lily my mare is quite a stressy horse, she gets very anxious. I tried 4 oils with her Jasmine, Camomile, Rose and Lavender, she sniffed all four and was particularly keen the the Jasmine, I made them up in a base of grapeseed oil and held out some on my hand and she instantly licked it! I also put some on her poll and have done so for the past few days. She really likes it though she doesn't want to lick it any more! She went all dreamy the first day!!

Then Merry one of the Dartmoors wanted to know what was going on and he tried to totally mug me for my potion he wanted it so much! Each pony I have tested with various oils they have all ben intrigued, I am quite amzed by the various reactions! I am going to continue with Lily's mixture for another week then will come up with one for my boy Tigger!

Does any one else use it with their horses? and what effect has it had?

[eventerbabe]

yep, used to make up a gel based preparation for bonnie as she suffered from COPD. helped to ease her breathing when warming up :)

[Trewsers]

How interesting - I read an article in HOrse and Rider a while back - but it all sounded very expensive (mind you they got an actual aromatherapist person out to their horse). There must be something in it - I like using herbs - on our two - I only have used the Global Herbs - but they really work - at the end of the day tho, all things come from natural substances don't they? (refined drugs I mean).

[TiggerthePony]

I've always been a great believer in herbs and feed them. I was amazed at Lily's response, I thought it would probably be one of those things where you get no reaction at all and think what a waste of time!

I do believe in using natural remedies as all things natural are what horses lived on before we became involved hence I gave it a go! Not sure it will have any long term benefits but only one way to find out!

I always make up my own fly repellent which works well so the oils certainly seem to have their uses! Some are expensive but then a few drops do go a long way!

[TiggerthePony]

yep, used to make up a gel based preparation for bonnie as she suffered from COPD. helped to ease her breathing when warming up :)

Just out of interest what gel did you use and how did you store it and mix it up? Was thinking of doing a gel version but wasn't sure how to go about it!

[magic]

hi, I use "PAX" - which hides the smell of adrenaline (fear) in your sweat - help me and my boys stay calm - I also use Ainsworths horse homeopathy they sent me some different homeopathy pills for prevention of foot trauma for one of my sensative boys before he has his feet trimmed - I also use feedmark respiratory aid for one of my boys who had a tendency to hay cough.