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 Since experiencing personally the amazing results of pure therapeutic essential oils on our own horses and ourselves, At Ease Natural Scents has additionally added our own line of some of the more popular oils that may be of benefit for both you and your horse. With this comes the responsibiltiy to provide approved guidelines on the proper use of these essential oils in Canada. Most North American references indicate for example that taking essential oils internally is not advised, even though in countries such as France this is a common practice. We suggest that before using any of these oils that you educate yourself by checking out a few of the many great references available either online or at your local book store.
For both you and your horse, essential oils work two ways. Your horse may have a physical problem that needs to be addressed or an emotional one. For a physical problem, you can apply the essential oil diluted in a carrier oil on the area of concern where the EO (Essential Oil) finds their way via the hair follicles into the bloodstream. For an emotional problem, your horse can inhale the molecules of a scent and have it trigger the release of neuro-chemicals in every body cell to help relax or relieve fears. Because EO's are concentrated, they may be up to 70 times stronger in their therapeutic action than the herbs they were originated from, therefore we can make up an effective aromatherapy blend in a dilution of only 2.5 to 3 percent EO's in a vegetable-based carrier oil. If you are using it to address emotional concerns, a few drops rubbed into the palms of your hands and then sniffed by the horse (or you) will only take a few seconds to respond (if the correct EO has been offered to the horse). As a general rule, most essential oils will be metabolised out of the horse's body system within a week however it is wise to check with a trained aromatherapist as heavier resin based oils may take longer than this.
CAUTIONS: If you or your horse (or whoever the Essential Oil is intended for is) is pregnant, suffering from any medical condition or taking medication, consult a veterinarian or health care practitioner before use. Essential Oils may irritate the skin and are not for internal use. Keep out of the reach of children. Citrus oils have the potential to be phototoxic meaning that they can discolor the skin when the EO has been put on the skin prior to exposure to the sun. We caution you about using citrus oils and recommend that if using a citrus blend on your horse that you keep them out of the sun for the following 48 hours. Depending on where the oil has been applied, a horse blanket will block the suns rays.
The Following Essential Oils are some of the favorites we have found that work very well for horses in competition or otherwise. They cover many different emotional aspects of what the horse or the rider may be experiencing and we offer this as a guide for you to better select the most appropriate oil. Please reveiw the Essential Oils Resources for more information with options to purchase books on Aromatherapy. We encourage you to read up on the topic and to also consult with a professional Aromatherapist with any questions or concerns you may have.
Reference Guide For Horse & Rider
Basil – The strong and spicy aroma of Basil has been noted to help restore mental alertness during times of fatigue and exhaustion. A great essential oil to offer your horse on the last day of your event.
Bergamot – Helps to relieve the butterflies in the stomach when nervousness becomes a problem. It helps to lift away feelings of anxiety and provides a sense of harmony in otherwise tense situations.
Chamomile - Chamomile has an amazing tendancy to provide a deeper sense of relaxation. Great to use on young horses that are requiring to learn more patience, eg) learning how to tie.
Cypress – For the insecure horse and or rider, Cypress may invoke the confidence needed to break through emotional barriers. Cypress has been said to restore feelings of security.
Eucalyptus Radiata – Eucalyptus delights us with a light and refreshing scent which may help to soothe away the winter blues. Try diffusing in your barn and let this light scent freshen up any unwanted odors.
Frankincense – Frankincense is another important oil to have in your essential oil kit. It has been used for thousands of years to help clear past emotional pain and memories. Frankincense is an excellent oil to choose for working with issues of great fear.
Juniper – This clean and woody scent has been said to have a cleansing effect on the mind, body and spirit. Juniper is a great essential oil on those days when seeking peace and clarity.
Lavender – The fresh, sweet and floral scent of Lavender has been known to calm anxiety and assist the body when adapting to stress or imbalances. It may help to calm a sensitive horse and or rider.
Lemongrass – Lemongrass’s light, fresh and citrus aroma is rejuvenating to the senses and may assist in helping one to retain new information. Try diffusing or using aromatically while studying for your next dressage test or examination.
Marjoram – Marjoram's spicy aroma is a calming oil and has been known to have a soothing effect on sore and tired muscles. A favorite of many equine athletes and their riders!
Melaleuca Alternifolia – Tea Tree Oil has been highly regarded for it wide range of uses and has been known to be gentle on the skin. It is used in some body washes to cleanse and condition the skin. A great oil to use on insect bites or minor cuts for cleansing.
Patchouli – This essential oil helps to ground the horse so as they are more aware of their body and how they are using it. Provides a deeper sense of connectiveness to the work at hand.
Sweet Orange – Sweet Orange helps provide one with the feeling of warmth and coziness. It is a very connecting essential oil to share with your horse.
Vetiver – Vetiver is a great essential oil choice to assist in calming and grounding ones emotions. Try it on your young mis-behaving yearling!
Educational Resource Section
Natures Perfect Solution For Body, Mind And Spirit
 At the dawn of civilization, when people first discovered the enchanting and powerful fragrances of plants, the Oil Story begins.
From the earliest days on earth, our ancestors used the fragrant plants to heal, uplift, anoint, and empower their lives. Why should fragrance, or aroma, be so powerful, and so sought after by people all over the world throughout history?
Consider for a moment…why do you give flowers as a sign of love, good wishes, or blessing? What is so magical about the fragrance of a rose? The scent of a pine forest?
Is it possible that these fragrances are not only beautiful but also life changing? The answer appears not only in the stories of our ancient ancestors, but in the literature of modern science as well. Modern day discoveries help us to understand our need for plants as something more than just food, decoration and shelter. Thanks to laboratory research, we now know something about the chemistry and action of plant fragrances, which come from the unique and mysterious aromatic liquids hidden in various parts of plants--their leaves, petals, roots, seeds, bark, stem, and even fruit.
These aromatic liquids are called "essential oils" now, but they were called "precious oils" and "sacred oils" in ancient times. They were used anciently not only for physical well-being, longevity, beauty, courage, wealth and political power, but for sacred purposes in temples, religious rituals, and at births and deaths.
Typically, essential oils are very light to the touch (not greasy like cooking oil) and evaporate readily, releasing their aromas into the air. Their function in nature is to keep plants healthy, free of infection, to repel harmful insects, and to communicate--to each other, to insects, to animals, and to us! As it turns out, the way they affect us is a lot like the way they affect plants, acting on our immune systems, our muscles, internal organs, skin and circulation, and even our emotions, sometimes all at once!
Plant fragrances are made of nature's ancient molecules: complex substances whose structure allows them to pass easily and quickly through our skin, and through the cell membranes of every cell in our bodies. We breathe them in and instantly, as they touch the brain, the molecules of essential oils enliven neurons, inspire emotions, awaken immune response, stimulate hormones, which can then enhance energy, digestion, mental clarity, body temperature, circulation, and the feeling of being connected to nature.
We inhale, and then… aaaaahh. We feel the magic. Or, we mix them with a few drops of vegetable oil (a completely different kind of oil!) and gently apply them to our skin, on the bottoms of our feet, or in a massage. The molecules pass easily through our skin, muscles, veins and connective tissue to bring their physical effects within moments to the whole body! And even then we can smell their healing fragrance.
Just one drop of an essential oil can carry as powerful a message as an entire bouquet of flowers. One drop can carry as bio-chemically complex a message as a food or a medicine: It can stimulate our immune activity, open our lungs, enhance our hearing, ease tired and achy muscles, improve flexibility and so much more!
While essential oils are neither food nor medicine, they sometimes act as if they were! They are, in a word, mysterious. They are also unique in nature, different from any other natural product you have ever tried, enhancing every part of your body, mind, and spirit, with just one or two drops at a time.
Please note: It's really important to understand that the safety and life-changing effects of essential oils are dependent entirely on their purity and their quality. Generally speaking, essential oils that you find in department stores, and even health food stores, are of uncertain quality at best.
For an excellent overview of the essential oils where At Ease Natural Scents first experienced the many benefits of pure, therapeutic grade essential oils, please click here for more information on Young Living Essential Oils. There is a great education resource center on this site which includes the Library and Free Training. Jimmy's Story originated from the use of this particular line of Essential Oils however because there is reference made in the story and in the Young Living web site that the EO's were being taken internally, we must reiterate that EO's are forbidden by Health Canada for this type of useage.
Reference: Essential Oils Integrative Medical Guide by D. Gary Young, N.D.
These aromatherapy books share a lot of information about the history behind the use of essential oils, their recent rediscovery, and how they may
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