Hey there fellow horse moms! 🐎 If you're like me, you want nothing but the best for your equine companions. That's why I'm thrilled to share with you the top 10 essential oils that should be a staple in every horse mom's toolkit, including some amazing blends.
But before we dive into the must-have oils, let's take a moment to understand what essential oils are and how they can be safely used for your horse's well-being.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts derived from plants. They capture the aromatic and therapeutic essence of the plant they come from. These oils are obtained through various methods such as steam distillation, cold-pressing, or solvent extraction. Each oil carries the unique properties and benefits of the plant it originates from. For example, lavender oil is extracted from lavender flowers, while peppermint oil comes from peppermint leaves.
Are Essential Oils Safe for Your Horse?
Now, you may be wondering if essential oils are safe for your horse. The answer is yes, they can be, but there are essential considerations. First and foremost, quality matters. Always choose high-quality, premium and pure essential oils from reputable sources. Check in with the company you are buying from and make sure the oils undergo rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency.
Dilution: A Vital Step in Essential Oil Safety
Essential oils are potent, and an important practice for safety is dilution, especially if you or your horse are new to using them. Diluting essential oils serves multiple purposes - it reduces the risk of skin reactions and allows for easy application over larger areas. While some essential oils can be applied undiluted, it's advisable to dilute, particularly when starting. As you become more experienced and understand your horse's preferences, you can make that choice.
Tailoring to Your Horse's Unique Needs
Every horse is unique, and what works perfectly for one might not suit another, even if it's considered a 'mild oil.' If you observe a reaction after applying an essential oil, don't worry. The solution is simple - add a generous amount of carrier oil. Essential oils are attracted to fats, so carrier oils serve as a binder. This slows down the absorption rate, helping your horse handle the oil.
This way, you can enjoy the benefits of essential oils with confidence and adapt them to your horse's individual requirements.
Let's get started with my top 10 essential oils for horses!
- Lavender Essential Oil 🌿
- Lavender essential oil is indeed a powerhouse among essential oils, earning its nickname as the "Swiss army knife of oils." Lavender is a must-have for its calming properties. It's perfect for soothing nervous or anxious horses and can promote relaxation. Its natural wellness properties make it a go-to solution for minor cuts, scrapes, and insect bites, acting as a fragrant first aid kit for your horse's skin. Additionally, lavender's magic extends to mane and tail care, and can also promote a healthy and shiny coat. For more ways to use lavender essential oil with your horse, click HERE.
- Peppermint Essential Oil 🌱
- Peppermint essential oil deserves a spotlight too, as it's a versatile oil that can offer your horse multiple benefits. Peppermint oil is fantastic for digestion and can help with stomach discomfort. It's also refreshing for your horse during hot weather. Beyond aiding digestion and soothing the stomach, peppermint oil can also be a game-changer when it comes to your horse's muscles, joints, and respiratory system. To really dive into what peppermint can do, along with a few of my favorite recipes, click HERE.
- Frankincense Essential Oil 🌳
- Frankincense essential oil is truly nature's balancing act when it comes to equine wellness. This oil possesses remarkable properties that can help restore harmony to your horse's physical and emotional state. Frankincense is known for its ability to help balance emotions, making it an ideal choice for calming nervous horses or aiding in training sessions. Additionally, it's a skin-loving oil, with the capacity to rejuvenate and support healthy skin. Wellness properties also make it an ideal go-to for overall health support. For my top ways to use frankincense essential oil with your horse, click HERE.
- Tea Tree Essential Oil 🌿
- Tea tree essential oil, derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, is a powerhouse of wellness properties for your horse. Traditionally used by Indigenous Australians for centuries, this oil is celebrated for its wound care abilities. It's a perfect choice for supporting minor cuts, scrapes, and skin irritations. Beyond skin care, tea tree oil lends a helping hand in hoof care. Its properties can assist in maintaining healthy hooves and supporting common issues like thrush. Click HERE for my dedicated blog on tea tree oil.
- Cedarwood Essential Oil🌲
- Cedarwood essential oil is like a tranquil retreat for your horse. Derived from the wood of cedar trees, this oil exudes a soothing and grounding aroma that can create a sense of calm in your equine companion. Beyond its calming effects, cedarwood is a valuable addition to your horse's wellness routine. It can help repel insects, providing a natural shield against bothersome critters during outdoor adventures. Cedarwood also supports healthy skin, and adds a shine to the mane and tail. It's a win-win for your horse's well-being. For all things cedarwood with your horse, check out my blog HERE.
- Copaiba Essential Oil 🌲
- Copaiba essential oil, sourced from the resin of Copaifera trees in South America, is a natural remedy that offers soothing benefits for your horse. This oil is celebrated for its wellness properties and can be a game-changer in providing support for horses with joint discomfort or muscle tension. Copaiba acts as a gentle support for your horse's overall well-being. Beyond its physical benefits, copaiba's mild aroma can also have a calming effect, making it a valuable tool for reducing tension and promoting relaxation in your equine companion. Incorporating copaiba into your horse's care routine can help them feel more comfortable and content.
- Lemongrass Essential Oil 🌱
- Derived from the tall, aromatic grasses of tropical regions, lemongrass essential oil is a revitalizing boost for your equine friend. Its fresh and citrusy scent not only uplifts the spirit but can also help deter unwanted pests during outdoor activities. Lemongrass oil is known for its wellness properties that may support tendon health and contribute to the well-being of your horse's hoof structure.
- Cypress Essential Oil 🌲
- Derived from the mighty cypress trees, cypress essential oil offers versatile benefits for your equine companion. Its earthy and woody aroma not only creates a calming atmosphere but also provides advantages for your horse's well-being. Cypress oil is has been studied for its potential to improve circulation, making it beneficial for local application to healing areas that need more support. Horses that stock up may benefit form a liniment made with cypress oil. It can also aid in muscle and joint discomfort.
- Digize™ Blend from Young Living™ 🌿
- Digize™ is a powerful essential oil blend from Young Living™, specifically created to support digestive health. This unique blend combines the power of Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Fennel, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli essential oils, all carefully selected for their digestive support properties. By incorporating Digize™ into your horse's wellness routine, you can help to promote a balanced and healthy digestive system. Diluted and applied topically on the belly, this blend can provide targeted support for digestion. Digize™ is my go to blend to help ease stomach discomfort and reduce occasional digestive disturbances.
- Valor™ Blend from Young Living™ 🌿
- Are you looking to boost your horse's confidence and create a harmonious connection? Look no further than Young Living's™ Valor™ Blend. Valor™ is a unique blend of empowering essential oils that can support emotional balance and well-being in horses. By combining Black Spruce, Blue Tansy, Camphor Wood, Geranium, and Frankincense, this carefully crafted blend promotes courage and tranquility in horses during challenging situations. Whether you're looking to assist your horse during training, competitions, or when faced with new environments, Valor™ is a reliable ally that can help your equine friend find strength and courage to overcome obstacles. Valor™ is one blend that I always have in my pocket at a horse show and to see how I use it at a horse show, click HERE.
Now that We Have Our Top Ten Oils, How Do We Use Them?
Now that we've identified the top ten essential oils every horse mom should have, let's explore how to put these aromatic wonders to work. If you are choosing an essential oil for calming or balancing emotions, a delightful way to begin is by letting your horse choose their preferred scent.
Pick 2 of the essential oils from above and offer each one to your horse. Allow your horse to investigate and see what happens. They might nudge one, indicating their preference. Once they choose an oil, you can let them smell it directly from the bottle or apply a drop in your hand and offer your hands to your horse. Let them smell for as long as they want, then apply the residual oil on the back of your neck – remember, you're half of this partnership, and your emotions matter too!
For topical application, begin by adding a dollop of carrier oil to your palm (For more insights on carrier oils and dilution for horses, check out my dedicated blog post HERE). Next, add a drop or two of your desired essential oil to the carrier oil and rub your hands together. Then gently rub this mixture onto the specific area that needs support.
Consider creating a roller bottle for topical use. With a DIY roller bottle, you'll always have a diluted essential oil ready to apply, whether at the barn or on the go. For a step-by-step guide on making your own roller bottle, click HERE.
Incorporating essential oils into your horse's wellness routine can be a game-changer. From the soothing embrace of lavender to the revitalizing power of peppermint, these oils offer a holistic approach to support your equine companion. Whether you're looking to calm their nerves, provide targeted relief, or simply enhance their overall well-being, the top ten essential oils every horse mom should have are your trusted allies. Experiment, bond, and explore the countless ways these natural remedies can enhance the partnership you share with your horse.
By the Way: Discover the Young Living Difference
If you're curious about the company behind essential oil blends like Digize™ and Valor™, look no further than Young Living™ Essential Oils. Young Living™ is a renowned leader in the industry, known for its commitment to quality through the Seed to Seal® process. This rigorous quality assurance program ensures that from the seed planted to the oil bottled, every step is carefully monitored to provide the purest and most potent essential oils. If you're ready to elevate your essential oil journey, consider purchasing a curated bundle of the oils featured in this blog, along with V-6, a premium carrier oil. It's a step toward enhancing your horse's wellness with products you can trust. Click HERE to grab the bundle.
Moreover, I'm thrilled to introduce you to the world of essential oils and as a token of my appreciation, I'll include a special gift when you make a purchase through my link. Rest assured, there are no additional costs for you, and your support through my link directly contributes to a small business committed to enhancing the health and well-being of both you and your beloved companions!
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