Hey there, fellow horse owners! Are you curious about using tea tree essential oil on your equine pals? Well, you're not alone! Tea tree oil has gained quite a reputation for its natural health benefits, and we're here to explore whether it's a good idea to use it on our beloved horses.
Tea tree, also known as Melaleuca alternifolia, is a plant native to Australia. Its essential oil has gained popularity worldwide due to its many beneficial properties.The oil has been used for centuries by indigenous people for its wellness properties. It was traditionally used to treat a variety of conditions affecting the skin. In modern times, tea tree oil has become popular for its cleansing properties and is commonly found in skincare, haircare, and cleaning products. As for its scent, tea tree oil has a strong, medicinal aroma that might not make it your favorite smell, but don't worry, I've used it quite a bit with my horses and they don't seem to mind the aroma at all-lol!
First things first, let's talk about using essential oils with horses. Yes, you can use essential oils and aromatherapy safely with horses (grab my free guide to get started safely using essential oils with your horse HERE). I believe two of the most important factors to safely using essential oils with horses are quality and dilution. Unfortunately, the essential oil market is highly adulterated and it’s hard to find a pure and premium essential oil. I use Young Living™ Essential Oils, with their Seed To Seal guarantee, you know that you have 100% pure essential oil in the bottle. Then you can simply dilute them and enjoy using essential oils. For more info on specifically diluting essential oils with horses, click HERE.
So, what can tea tree essential oil do for your horse? Tea tree is known for its cleansing properties, making it a fantastic natural remedy to add to our natural horse care routine. This potent essential oil can also help repel outdoor annoyances and pests. It can also assist in supporting skin. Additionally, tea tree oil can be used to neutralize odors and promote the appearance of healthy hair and hooves.
According to this study on PubMed.gov, Tea tree oil exhibited antimicrobial activity against the bacteria that cause rain rot. Tea tree oil has also been studied for use with dandruff and this study reported positive benefits against nail fungus.
I like to use tea tree oil at the barn to:
- Clean my brushes and grooming equipment
Simply add about 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to 2 tablespoons of natural Castille soap, in a 5 gallon bucket, and fill up with water. Soak your grooming equipment for about 10 minutes, then rinse and let air dry.
- Boost my natural cleaner at the barn
I like to make a cleaner of half water, half vinegar in a 16 ounce spray bottle. Then I add about 20 drops of tea tree and 20 drops of lemon.
- Boost my natural hand soap at the barn
I like and use Castile soap, which is a natural soap that traditionally was made from olives. All ya do is add 2 tablespoons of Castile soap to a foaming hand pump, then add about 10 drops of tea tree and fill up with water. Easy peasy and very cost effective. If tea tree isn't your favorite aroma, add a few drops of lavender, frankincense, or your favorite essential oil.
- Make a 'get rid of the gunk' hoof spray (for my favorite hoof spray DIY, click HERE)
- Boost my all natural hoof oil (for my favorite hoof oil DIY's, click HERE)
- Boost my mane and coat spray ( to see how I make a mane detangler, click HERE)
- In my natural fly spray
I also, from time to time, like to make a roller bottle with tea tree. This dilutes the essential oil and makes for easy application for skin support. Simply grab a 10 ml roller bottle on Amazon, fill it up with a carrier oil(fore more info on carrier oils, click HERE), add 5-10 drops of tea tree oil, and apply to desired area as needed. You can also grab my step by step guide to making a roller bottle HERE.
As you can see, there are many ways to incorporate tea tree essential oil at the barn and tea tree can be a valuable tool to add to your natural horse care routine. I feel good about using tea tree oil as a natural alternative to traditional remedies, especially since I don't feel the need to wear gloves when applying it and I don't even have to worry about turning my hands green. Happy horsekeeping!
If you're ready to give Tea Tree oil a try, you can grab a bottle HERE, this will take you straight to Young Living™ Essential Oils, my go company for essential oils. With their Seed To Seal guarantee, you know you're getting pure and premium products for you and your fur kids health and safety. (This is an affiliate link and I earn a small commission from your order at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business! I'm so excited to help you get started, that I'll connect with you once you order and send you something special!)
Hey fellow equestrians! If you're anything like me, you're into natural horsemanship and always looking for 'tools' to add to your toolbox and apply in your horse care routine. Have you ever tried using essential oils? They're one of my favorite ways to add some natural wellness to your horse care.
With so many options out there, it can be tough to know which essential oils are the best fit for your horses. It's actually one of the questions I get asked the most 'Which essential oils are good for horses?' It's a tough question to answer, because there are hundreds of essential oils and blends you can purchase(I've literally used probably at least half of them with my horses), and it depends on what you want to use them for. But, I do find myself reaching for the same oils over and over again, and since one of my goals is to help other horse lovers use essential oils without overwhelm, I've created a list of my top 10. Plus, two of my favorite blends. Do you need them all? Nope, pick a few and try them out! Every horse is different, so experiment and see which ones you and your horse like best.
Lavender is the perfect choice for horse owners who want just one essential oil to get started with! Popularly known as “the Swiss army knife” of aromatic oils, lavender has a peaceful floral scent that can help reduce tension and promote relaxation during stressful situations like trailering or vet visits. Even more impressive? A study published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science found tangible signs of reduced stress levels when horses inhale this calming aroma. This study on PubMed.gov "evaluating the aromatherapy recommendation for pain in the Holistic Nurses' Pain Relief Tools for Patients and Self Care" reports "a safe, cost effective intervention for pain to improve quality outcomes".
Not only does it make your barn feel peace-filled (perfect for grooming sessions!), but lavender also offers many health benefits from healthy skin & coat maintenance to muscle and tendon support - making it truly an all-purpose powerhouse among aromatics! And if you're looking for my favorite detangler recipe using this powerful oil, click HERE.
Next on the list is frankincense , a woodsy oil that has an earthy, rich, and deep aroma. I love that the aroma of frankincense is both soothing and balancing, creating a calming and grounding effect during grooming sessions, and promoting relaxation during training. To dive more in depth about specifically using frankincense with your horse, click HERE. Frankincense also has properties that can help to support overall wellness and the immune system, and it also can be very beneficial for supporting skin during the healing process.
If you're looking to keep your horse calm and relaxed, cedarwood essential oil is a great choice! Not only does it have an incredible earthy scent (think fresh rain in the forest), but studies can be found on PubMed.org for its use as an insect repellent and for hair growth. Try adding this grounding oil into hoof care DIYs or natural fly sprays for extra soothing effects - plus, who doesn't love sniffing something divine? You can find some of my favorite recipes HERE!
Vetiver oil has a deep and grounding scent that can be very balancing, promote relaxation and reduce tension in horses. It's also helpful for outdoor annoyances and skin support. When your horse inhales the aroma or you apply vetiver, the grounding and soothing properties help to reduce tension, making it perfect for horses who may be nervous, anxious, or easily agitated. It's become an essential tool in my toolbox for helping to keep my horses mellow, content, and mentally balanced. This helps with cooperation and understanding for a harmonious bond.
If you've got a horse, you've also probably turned your hands green at some point as well, applying different hoof products. That's where tea tree essential oil comes in! Not only does this potent oil have properties that can be beneficial with 'gunk' that may be affecting your horse, it also has a refreshing aroma that's earthy and slightly medicinal. Tea tree is known for its cleansing properties on skin, hair, and nails; so adding it is a worthy addition if you're looking for an essential oil for skin and hoof DIY's. When you apply it to the skin or hooves of your equine, it can help prevent unhealthy skin and gunky build up. You can apply it directly to the affected hoof or dilute it with a carrier oil for skin application. Plus, it's a natural way to combat some of the stinky smells that can come with horses.
Who knew something as simple and delightful as lemon essential oil could be so powerful? It's quickly become a staple in my barn because of its refreshing, invigorating scent that uplifts my mood. Not only does it make the place smell great, but there are also numerous uses for both me and my horses to benefit from - cleaning brushes or buckets is just the beginning! I've even noticed an increase in focus during training with my pony when I offer him some good ol' sniffing time before we start working. As citrus oils can heighten sensitivity to sunlight though, best practice would be sticking to aromatherapy sessions rather than topical applications unless you keep them out of direct daylight.
There's nothing quite like the fresh, invigorating scent of peppermint essential oil. As a horse owner, I've discovered a wide range of uses and benefits for this wonderful oil (dive into peppermint oil HERE). Not only does it have a cooling and refreshing effect, but it can also help soothe muscle tension and support clear breathing. Plus, it's handy for those outdoor annoyances, which is a huge bonus during those pesky summer months. I love using it as a natural alternative to harsh chemicals when it comes to my fly management. I also love to cool my horses off after exercise and support their hard work and minimize any chance of muscle spasm, muscle pain, or inflammation, so I like to use an after exercise rinse as a preventative. Peppermint's a great addition and you can find my recipe HERE. You can even make your own all natural horse treats with peppermint oil, grab the recipe HERE.
Incorporating eucalyptus essential oil into my horse care routine has been a breath of fresh air - literally! The invigorating scent of eucalyptus not only smells refreshing, but it also helps to support my horses' respiratory health. Its natural properties have been beneficial in promoting clear breathing, especially during seasonal changes or when dealing with respiratory challenges. It's a must-have in my barn for supporting my horses' respiratory wellness and keeping them feeling their best.
Copaiba essential oil has also become a staple in my equine wellness routine. This powerful essential oil is derived from the resin of trees native to South America and boasts an impressive array of health benefits. Copaiba essential oil contains a high amount of beta-caryophyllene, which has been examined for anti-inflammatory activity with positive results. Copaiba oil has been a game-changer when it comes to supporting my horse's joint, tendon, and ligament health. Not only is its aroma earthy and grounding, which can add a level of calm to my feisty pony, but Copaiba oil can also be applied topically making it one of my go-tos for massage oils, DIY liniments, and joint potions.
Last but not least is Cypress essential oil, a fresh and woody oil that I like to use to support my horses connective tissue, tendons, and ligament health. If I'm making a DIY liniment to promote healthy legs, muscle function, and aid in recovery after strenuous exercise, I'm adding cypress! I also like to add cypress essential oil to a carrier oil and use it as a massage oil to help prevent muscle tension and promote healthy blood flow. Whether used alone or in conjunction with other essential oils (I like to add wintergreen essential oil, sweet marjoram, lemongrass, and helichrysum essential oils), cypress oil has become a go-to for supporting my horse's overall mobility and comfort levels.
When it comes to the health and safety of my horses, I trust Young Living™ Essential Oils. With their Seed To Seal guarantee, they provide products that are realigned with nature’s highest standards. That's why DiGize™ and Valor ™ essential oil blends from them made my list! They use 100% pure and premium essential oils and offer a wide range of essential oil products - perfect for ensuring peace of mind and toxin free choices.
Valor™ is a blend of Black Spruce, Blue Tansy, Camphor Wood, Geranium, and Frankincense oils that promote feelings of courage, grounding, and strength in horses. I always have this essential ol blend in my pocket when I'm at a horse show, it helps to calm my nerves and keep me emotionally balanced so I can manage my horse in the way that he needs. Remember, there's always 2 in the partnership and what affects you will affect your horse too. Using this blend is also simple and convenient as it's pre-diluted. You can simply add a few drops to your hands, inhale deeply, and also let your horse smell as long as they want. Then rub the residue on the back of your neck, you'll become a walking diffuser for the rest of the day! To read more about becoming a walking diffuser for your horse, click HERE.
DiGize™ essential oil blend contains the essential oils of Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel, Lemongrass, Anise, and Patchouli. According to Young Living™ DiGize™ "contains antioxidants and may support the digestive system when taken internally.* I like to add a few drops to a carrier oil and rub on my horses abdomen a couple of times a day to support digestion.
Overall, both DiGize™ and Valor™ are excellent essential oil blends that every horse owner should consider adding to their collection. Not only do they provide numerous benefits, but they can also help you up-level your horses wellness routine.
Did ya notice that many of the essential oils can be used for the same purposes?! So don't let choices stop you in your tracks, grab any one of the essential oils or blends listed above and start enjoying the benefits of essential oils in your barn today!
If you're ready for the next step and want to dive head first into more essential oil knowledge and how to use them with your horse, I invite you to my mini course 'Oily Horse Intro" where you'll learn 'The What, Why, Where, When, and How' of getting started using essential oils with your horse- CLICK HERE!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
If you're an equestrian, you may already be familiar with the use of essential oils for horses. Essential oils are like the magical essence of plants, bottled up for our enjoyment! Think of them as the superhero versions of your favorite plants, with powers to soothe, energize, and promote well being. These oils are extracted from various parts of plants, like the flowers, leaves, or roots, and are known for their aromatic and life enhancing qualities. They come in a wide range of scents, from calming lavender to zesty lemon, and can be used in a variety of ways, from diffusing them into the air to applying them topically. So, if you're looking for a little plant-powered pick-me-up as part of your natural horse care routine, essential oils are here to make your day at the barn even better.
When it comes to applying essential oils topically on horses, it is important to remember how concentrated essential oils are. It can take three pounds of a lavender plant to make one 15 ml. bottle of Lavender essential oil! Oftentimes, you’ll want to apply an essential oil to a large surface area as well. Therefore, in most cases, it is recommended to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil before applying them to the skin. Fractionated coconut oil is my favorite as it stays liquid year round, is odorless, inexpensive, and absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave a super greasy residue. Diluting essential oils helps to avoid any potential skin irritation or sensitivity and helps to cover large surface areas.
Additionally, it is important to use high-quality, pure essential oils that are safe for equine use. Using premium and high quality oils ensures that the essential oil is free from any synthetic additives, fillers, or impurities that could be harmful to your horse. Some essential oils that get a bad rap for use with horses like Tea Tree essential oil can be safely used if the Tea Tree oil is unadulterated and diluted. I like and use the world leader in essential oils-Young Living™. With their Seed To Seal guarantee, you know you're getting pure and premium products for you and your horses health! You can check them out by clicking HERE (This is an affiliate link and I earn a small commission from your order at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business! I'm so excited to help you get started, that I'll connect with you once you order and send you something special)
To easily dilute an essential oil, simply add a dollop of carrier oil to the palm of your hand, add a drop or two of essential oil, rub your palms together, then apply directly to the desired area. To learn more about diluting essential oils with your horse, and the various carrier oils I like to use, click HERE.
Another easy way to always have a diluted essential oil on hand for your horse is by making a roller bottle. You can purchase some 10 ml roller bottles on Amazon. Simply add 10-20 drops of essential oil to the roller bottle, fill up with a carrier oil (my favorite is fractionated coconut oil), apply the roller and lid, then invert back and forth to mix well. You can then either roll directly on the desired area or roll on your hand and then rub in. If your horse is dirty or really hairy like my mini's, I like to roll on my hand and rub in. For a step by step guide to making a roller bottle, click HERE.
Horses are equipped with an incredible sense of smell, thanks to their olfactory receptors located in the upper part of their nasal cavity. This prime location allows for maximum scent analysis as the aroma molecules travel through their nasal passages. If they really want to take in a scent, they can even perform a unique maneuver, known as the horse laugh (or the flehmen response). During this impressive display, the horse flares its nostrils, trapping the alluring scent molecules inside. By closing off their airway and nostrils, they can take a closer look at the aroma, analyzing it thoroughly.
With this innate ability for aroma, remember to offer the essential oil for your horse to smell first, then apply. This not only ensures that you are using an essential oil that your horse likes, but inhaling the aroma first gets the essential oil into the part of the brain that can affect emotions. You might even want to become a walking diffuser for your horse first by wearing the essential oil as a perfume for a few days. We are half the equation with our horses and if we are positive, calm, and happy, we can help our horses behave that way as well.
When your horse is used to essential oils and you are thinking about applying them topically, you might be asking 'where do you apply the essential oil on your horse?' Here are some common areas to consider:
- Poll and Forelock
The poll is the area just behind the horse's ears. Applying essential oils to this area can help relieve tension and promote relaxation. You can also apply oils to the forelock for a similar effect. Essential oils like fat and will travel down the hair shaft into the hair follicle for absorption into the body. Careful to not get into the eyes, tho. Essential oil aromas vary and some smell stronger than others so if the aroma of the essential oil you are using seems particular pungent, you may want to apply to an area further away from the head, such as the chest.
- Chest
The chest is another common area for applying essential oils on horses. This area is close to the heart and lungs, and I like to apply the oils here if my goal is for helping to support respiratory health. If your horse is tall or head shy, the chest can be a much better choice than the forelock or poll.
- Belly
The belly area is a great spot for applying essential oils to promote digestion and help with digestive discomfort. Start with the sides of your horses belly and watch how they react. Depending upon your horse, the underside of the belly can be really sensitive and may be an area to avoid for safety reasons. Approach your horses belly area with caution, especially if they are having some discomfort, and stay out of the kick zone. If there's any doubt that your horse may not want to be touched in this area, rub the oils on the chest instead. If discomfort is present, remember that essential oils are a tool that you use while you are waiting for your veterinarian, not as a replacement for your veterinarian! I also generally avoid the girth area just in case of any skin sensitivity, so that I don't have to worry about tack and equipment going on over the application area.
- Hooves
Essential oils can be used to support healthy hooves by applying them to the coronet band and hoof itself. An easy way to do this is by making a hoof oil or spray. To get my recommended essential oils and hoof recipes, click HERE. Using essential oils for your horses hoof health can keep a healthy hoof in tip top shape or support a hoof that may need some help.
- Muscles and Joints
Who doesn't love a good rub down?! Using essential oils on your horses muscles can help to loosen them up and soothe them. If your horse is experiencing muscle discomfort or joint discomfort, applying essential oils to the affected area can help support that area. You can simply dilute the essential oils in your hand and then rub in or you can make a massage oil or spray, or even use as a liniment or brace. For my favorite recipes to make a massage oil and after exercise rinse with Epsom salts, click HERE.
When applying essential oils to horses, it's important to remember that just like people, each horse is different. You may be able to apply an undiluted essential oil to one horse, but not another. You may need more dilution, or you could do less. Age, size, health, and sensitivities (like redheads) can all factor in. It's much better to over dilute than under dilute. If you under dilute, simply add more carrier oil to the area. This will further dilute the essential oil and help the body process it better. Start with the minimum number of drops recommended and see how that works before adding more. It's also better to apply a small amount more frequently rather than a large amount less often. Watch how your horse reacts and observe for any signs of discomfort like itching, swelling, raised hair or skin bumps. Again, make sure to only use high-quality, pure essential oils that are safe for equine use.
Applying essential oils on horses can be a great way to promote relaxation, help discomfort, and support overall well-being. Equine aromatherapy can have many health benefits for horse owners. If you're ready to dive in and utilize some aromatherapy for your horse, enroll in 'Oily Horse Intro' - a great way to start using essential oils with your horse! My Oily Horse Intro course will give you all the knowledge and recipes you need without feeling overwhelmed. Sign up HERE for Oily Horse Intro and get started on your natural horse care journey today!
Let’s take a closer look at laminitis symptoms, causes and treatments as well as what essential oils can be used to support a horse who has laminitis.
Essential oils are a powerful, natural way to help your horse stay calm, grounded, focused, and relaxed during a horse show. Frankincense and Valor™ essential oil blend from Young Living™ can be especially effective for this purpose. In this blog post, I will discuss what these two essential oils are, why they are helpful for use with horses at a horse show, and how to use them safely and effectively.
What is Frankincense?
Frankincense is an essential oil derived from the resin of Boswellia carteri trees found in Somalia, Ethiopia and other parts of the Middle East. Frankincense has been used for centuries in spiritual practice and as perfume by various cultures around the world. It has a warm, woody aroma that is both calming and grounding. This makes it a perfect choice for horses who may be feeling anxious or overwhelmed in new environments such as a horse show.
Frankincense oil benefits can help promote relaxation, mental clarity, and emotional strength during challenging times.
What is Valor™ Essential Oil Blend?
Valor™ is an essential oil blend created by Young Living™ that combines frankincense essential oil (Boswellia carterii), with 4 other essential oils-black spruce (Picea mariana), blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum), camphor wood (Cinnamomum camphora), and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens). According to Young Living™, this oil blend was "formulated based on historical writings about Roman soldiers who were said to apply plant extracts and botanicals to instill feelings of courage and confidence before going into battle."
Valor™ oil is one of my go to blends for emotional balance. Using Valor™ will help your horse focus on the task at hand without feeling overwhelmed. This combination also creates an empowering synergy that helps you and your horse feel courageous and confident when facing a challenging or emotional situation.
This makes it especially useful for horses at a horse show who may be feeling anxious or tense due to their performance environment.
Who is Young Living™ Essential Oils?
Young Living™ is a company that produces high quality, pure, and premium essential oils and products infused with essential oils. With their Seed To Seal™ guarantee, you know you're getting only the best essential oils without any fillers or additives. This is extremely important as one of the major factors in safely using essential oils with animals is quality! With Young Livings™ Seed To Seal™ guarantee, you can feel confident using essential oils with your horse (and other companions). They have been in business since 1993 providing safe and effective natural health solutions to customers worldwide.
How do I Use These 2 Essential Oils With My Horse?
The best way to use frankincense essential oil and Valor™ with your horse at a horse show is through inhalation. Some governing bodies of equestrian sport may prohibit the topical use of essential oils during competition. However you don't need to apply Valor™ or frankincense essential oil to have an effect!
First, apply a drop or 2 of each oil to the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, make a scent tent over your nose, and inhale deeply. Then offer your hands to your horse. Let them smell for as long as they are interested. Apply the residue to the back of your neck or pulse points so you become a walking diffuser. Horses have a much greater sense of smell than we do, so by wearing essential oils as a perfume, you both will benefit!
You can also simply open each bottle and let them inhale directly from the bottle. If your horse is antsy tacking up, have a helper hold the open bottles near your horse while you tack up.
If you have a diffuser and electricity, consider diffusing both oils in the barn aisle or tack room during your stay. 2 drops each of Valor™ and frankincense tends to work well, and can benefit everyone in the barn...not just the horses.
If you don't have a diffuser, you can also put a few drops of each oil on a cotton ball or cloth, then place it in the tackroom or near your horses stall so they can breathe in the aroma. This method also works great for horses who are nervous trailering, simply put the cloth or cotton balls in the trailer.
You can also make a stall spray by adding 10 drops of each to a 2 oz. glass spray bottle (easily available on Amazon), then fill the glass bottle halfway up with vodka and halfway up with water. Shake well and mist the stall as needed. (If you want a step by step guide to making a spray, click HERE)
Using Valor™ essential oil blend from Young Living™ and frankincense essential oil can be incredibly helpful in keeping your horse relaxed, grounded, focused & calm during a horse show! While these two oils are both beneficial on their own merits—frankincense providing calming and grounding effects while Valor™ instills confidence and provides emotional balance—when combined their effects become even more powerful! By using aromatherapy at competitions, you’ll be able to provide extra support for your equine partner and their health!
Grab this amazing duo today, by clicking HERE, so you can have next level emotional support for you and your horse, at your next horse show! (This is an affiliate link and I earn a small commission from your order at no cost to you. Thanks for supporting my small business! I'm so excited to help you get started, that I'll connect with you once you order and send you something special)
