Organic aromatherapy for horses

According to equine aromatherapist and founder of Equi-Spa in the USA, Sherie Vermeer says that horses can benefit from the use of some essential oils. She lists five essential oils that owners should keep on hand to help maintain the health and wellbeing of their horses - lavender, peppermint, tea tree, sweet orange and patchouli. Lavender essential oil has strong anti-bacterial & healing properties and can be used to help treat burns and minor abrasions. Peppermint essential oil can be sprayed inside stables to help treat horses who suffer from hives as it has cooling and decongestant properties. Tea tree oil works well with lavender as it has strong anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Sweet orange oil has strong wellbeing properties and can help lift the spirits of horses who are being rested for long periods of time when sprayed in their stables. Patchouli oil calms and soothes the skin.

When applied to the skin, essential oils should be diluted to 5% in a suitable organic vegetable oil such as sweet almond oil or St John's Wart oil. When used in diffusion as a spray, use 10-15 drops of essential oil for every 10fl oz of water.

Witch-hazel also works well on the skin to cool it when the horse is being groomed. Why not try mixing 3-4 tbsps of our organic witch-hazel flower water with 10fl oz of water and use as a spray?

For full information on Sherie's equine aromatherapy tips and how to introduce your horse to essential oils visit Holistic Horse Care.