Equine Aromatherapy

Equine Aromatherapy

At Cayla Henri, we're always eager to explore new frontiers in aromatherapy, especially when it comes to scientific research.

That's why a recent study caught our attention: "Equine Aromatherapy" by Dr. Rana Babac Celebi delves into how aromatherapy affects our four-legged friends with hooves and manes.


In this article:

Equine Aromatherapy
What is Equine
The Benefits of Aromatherapy for Horses
The Science Behind It
Popular Essential Oils for Horses
Real-Life Success Stories
The Bigger Picture
Challenges and Future Research

Now before you roll your eyes down the high street, we’re not suggesting you are related to the horse family. However we are saying that aromatherapy can help animals relax, in particular horses. Which is reminiscent of human behaviour.

We've already heard anecdotes from customers about how our wax melts seem to calm their dogs. So, it was not entirely surprising to learn that aromatherapy can have a significant impact on horses too, but the extent of this impact, as revealed in Dr. Celebi's study, is truly fascinating.

blog / Equine aromatherapy

What is Equine Aromatherapy

Equine aromatherapy involves using essential oils to improve horses' physical and emotional well-being.

It's not just about making the stables smell nice, these powerful plant extracts can have a real impact on a horse's behaviour and stress levels.

The Benefits of Aromatherapy for Horses

Have you ever wondered if aromatherapy could help your horse. It turns out that our equine friends might benefit from essential oils just as much as we do!

Recent studies have shown that aromatherapy can be an effective tool for managing stress and behavioural issues in horses.

The Science Behind It

Horses, being prey animals, have developed a keen sense of smell that's closely linked to their limbic system (the brain's command center for emotions, memories, and survival instincts).

This connection means that certain scents can directly influence a horse's mood and reactions.

Popular Essential Oils for Horses

Several studies have identified some favourite scents among our four-legged friends:

• Lavender: Known for its calming properties, lavender has been shown to reduce stress in horses during transport and after acute stress situations.
  
  

• Peppermint: Horses seem to find this scent particularly interesting, often investigating it more than other oils.
  
  

• Rose: This floral scent has been observed to reduce movement in horses, suggesting increased relaxation.
  
  

• Chamomile: Like rose, chamomile appears to have a calming effect on horses.

Real-Life Success Stories

The study shares some fascinating case studies where aromatherapy made a real difference:

• A racehorse with a habit of turning in circles calmed down after exposure to rose essential oil.
  
  

• A show-jumping horse overcomes its fear of riding on the right-hand side of the arena with the help of lavender oil.
  
  

• Another horse's aggressive behaviour towards stable mates was reduced using rose hydrosol.

The Bigger Picture

While aromatherapy shows promise, it's important to remember that it's not a magic solution. It works best when combined with good horsemanship, proper veterinary care, and a deep understanding of equine behaviour. Also, quality matters, only pure, high-grade essential oils should be used.

Challenges and Future Research

Despite the positive results, there are still challenges in this field. Many horse owners view their animals primarily as assets rather than companions, making them less likely to invest time and money in alternative therapies.

There's also a need for more research into areas such as:

• The effects of aromatherapy on horses with chronic conditions
  
  

• Its potential use in elderly or fragile horses
  
  

• How it might help in breaking young horses

Equine aromatherapy is an exciting and promising field that offers a gentle, natural approach to managing horse behaviour and stress.

While more research is needed, the current evidence suggests that a little lavender or rose oil might go a long way in keeping our equine friends happy and healthy.

Source: Equine Aromatherapy Dr. Rana Babac Celebi, Istanbul Medipol University, Medicine, Post-Doc