What are essential oils?
Essential oils are secondary metabolites produced by plants as part of their health and defense systems. I like to think of them as the blood of the plant. We get essential oils in most cases by steam distilling parts of the plant which separates out the essential oils.
Why do we want to inhale, you ask?
Well, plain and simple, most essential oils have an amazing aroma, but more than that, when we inhale, we absorb these essential oils and their evaporating constituents into the brain.
The sense of smell is connected to the limbic system of the brain. This is where emotions, memory, and certain regulatory functions of the body are found. Thus, essential oils work quite well and quickly on the emotional level. Wake up on the wrong side of the bed-turn your mood around in 5 seconds or less by simply inhaling the aroma from an essential oil (give lavender, orange, or lemon a try )
● Simply remove the lid and inhale directly from the bottle for at least 5 seconds ( that's about the time it takes to make it into the limbic system)
● Make a scent tent by applying 1 drop of essential oil into your palms, rub together, and then cup your hands over your nose and inhale deeply,
● Put your favorite essential oil in an ultrasonic diffuser which disperses essential oils without heating or burning that can cause the essential oil to be less effective. The atomized essential oil can remain suspended in the air for several hours. (Follow instructions on the label of your diffuser)
Horses have an innate ability to know what they need for health.
So oftentimes, when working with essential oils, we use this natural instinct and allow the horse to choose what products they prefer. This method is safe, effective, and simple, and it strengthens the bond between you and your horse.
But HOW does the choosing work?
Once you have the essential oil picked out, you can:
➡️Open the bottle and let your horse inhale deeply for at least 5 seconds. Careful as your horse may try to grab the bottle and watch out for nibbles.
➡️Make a scent tent by applying 1 drop or essential oil to your hand, rub your hands together, hold your hands at your horses nostrils and let your horse smell for at least 5 seconds (again watch for nibbles or your horse may want to lick your hand!)(your horse may sniff with each nostril one at a time or only with one nostril as each side of the brain processes information differently)
➡️Put the oil on yourself and be a walking diffuser! There are many forms of diffuser jewelry such as necklaces and bracelets that you can have fun wearing as well.
➡️Diffusers can be used easily in enclosed barns or areas such as tackrooms, bathrooms, grooming areas....no diffuser-no problem. Use cotton balls, wooden clothespins, cloth, leather, or cork.
➡️Apply a drop to the halter or fly mask (after your horse is used to essential oils)
➡️Apply a few drops to a cotton ball and stash in your trailer on travel days or defunk your tack room from ‘sweaty horse leather smell’
➡️Make a spritzer, using a glass spray bottle (essential oils degrade plastic-if you are uncomfortable using glass-use a very high quality plastic (= less interaction with the essential oil) such as PET ( also sustainable, and recyclable). Usually 20 drops to 2 oz. of water is sufficient, add a TBS of vodka to help the essential oils mix in the water. Shake well before you spray, for a step by step guide to making a spritzer, click HERE
Excited to learn even more about getting started using essential oils with your horse? Download my free guide where we go over what you need to know to use essential oils safely and easily with your horse, including safety and dilution, click HERE
0 Comments