Horses - Aromatherapy for animals - Learn how to use essential oils to help your horse. - August 2001 - Equiworld

Aromatherapy for animals - Learn how to use essential oils to help your horse.

Aromatic plants and oils have been used as an aid to health and well-being for thousands of years. More recently they have been developed for use in animals and have helped a wide range of conditions such as skin problems, allergies, training problems, stress and trauma. Each essential oil has an individual combination of constituents that interact with the body's chemistry in a direct manner, which in, turn can affect the bodily systems and stimulate the body to heal.

So how are they used in animals?

In a natural environment animals use their sense of smell to choose plants that will help them. This instinct is an important element of this system as the animal is invited to participate in its own healing by choosing which oils it would like. A short list of oils is selected based on a detailed history of the animal and an analysis of its character and habits. Each oil is then offered individually to the animal to smell. If the animal needs the oil it will either smell it intently for a few minutes or show signs of wanting to lick the oil bottle, or indicate in some way that topical application is required. Once the oils have been selected they are diluted in a base of vegetable or infused herb oil and applied as the animal has indicated.

It is easy and satisfying for animal owners to learn how to use aromatherapy safely and effectively as an aid to well-being in their own animals. Most animals love the oils and allowing them the choice deepens the bond of trust between animal and owner.

So who runs the courses?

The courses are run by Nayana Morag who is a certified Essential Oils for Animals Therapist and a member of GEOTA, the profession's regulatory body. She has worked with animals "all her life".

She lived and worked in America for several years and developed a system for teaching riding based on the martial arts and body awareness techniques as a way to help humans and horses communicate better. This lead to the "Riding Raps" series of audio tapes for riders. On returning to Britain in 1996 she decided to focus on the rehabilitation of "problem" horses, this in turn led to the discovery of the usefulness of Essential Oil Therapy. The oils are not a substitute for qualified veterinary care and need to be used according to instructions, but there is a place for them in the medicine cabinet of every animal owner.

More info?

If you would like further information on these courses contact Naturallypaws on 020 8295 5511 and they will send you a courses information sheet or have a look on their website at www.naturallypaws.com.