Have you seen a horse who is anxious?

Do you recognize the signs of a horse with anxiety? What are some symptoms? Do these

sound familiar: Whinnying, pawing, barging, diarrhea? or even insert other behaviors we don’t like.

I think, as horse owners, we have seen and dealt with horses which have been anxious about being alone. Or at least what they perceive to be alone.

And in the horses eyes, being alone is cause for anxiety. Horses are herd animals and when they are by themselves they perceive it as threat to their own existence. They are a perfect target, when they are alone, for attack. Horses prefer a herd to promote safety and well being.

Horses which have severe separation anxiety are dealing with a deeper seated issue. It may stem from previous abusive incident or from previous (perceived) abandonment.

It is quite beyond the scope of this document to cure your horse of separation anxiety, but with the use of essential oils and some compassion we can help.

Oils for Anxiety

1. Lavender – This is a must have in the house and stable. It is the most common of all

   

   oils. You can purchase from the grocery store,  health food store but remember the quality of the result is based on the quality of the oil.
   Read the label and make sure the Latin name Lavendula Angustifolia is the only ingredient. Other oils added could be synthetic and may not have the desired effect. There are cheaper, harsher blends and even hybrids. Some oils are ‘copy-cat’ oils such as Lavandin and there are mixtures like Lavender 40/42 which has synthetic elements.

2. Chamomile – Chamomile is  gentle and has a calming effect. You will find Chamomile is well liked by horses as it is made from the flowering buds of the chamomile plant and has a sweet earthy aroma.
   Traditional uses have been for anxiety, depression, ADHD, digestive concerns as well as for skin troubles. This is a gentle oil and can be used safely with your horse.
3. Frankincense – Is made from the tree resin of the Boswallia tree. It has been valued and was given as a gift to baby Jesus by the three Wise Men.
   It has an earthy yet spicy aroma which is found to be emotionally grounding, calming and relaxing. Frankincense is also known for its regenerative properties for scars and cuts.
4. Vetiver – This oil has an earthy scent and is very grounding. Vetiver essential oil is steam distilled from the roots of the vetiver plant. The grounding aspects of vetiver may assist horses with dealing with their anxiety issues.
5. Ylang Ylang – This essential oil has an uplifting spicy scent which has known benefits for anxiety, depression, diabetes. It has been successfully used to assist in the promotion of well being and happiness.
6. Peppermint…. I know this is 6. but I have to add it here. Peppermint has an uplifting yet focusing effect which may help you deal with focus issues with your horse.

Will it Work?

If you see something you are not familiar with or require assistance with, err on the side of safety and call in a knowledgeable friend or hire someone to help you. Remember you are not in this alone.
You will find your horse’s emotions may change from one day to the next and what may work today … may not work tomorrow or the next day. Also what your friend uses on their horse, may not be of benefit to your horse. Each horse is an individual and there may not always be a clear path.

If you find what you are doing isn’t having the result you would like, then change your approach. It could be you require more than just an oil (you may need to take a look at your training program) or you may need to change the oil, application or blend.

Nothing satisfies a good horse-human relationship. Essential oils will help but can not replace a bond you have with your horse. You will find once you start using essential oils with your horse you will become more appreciative with your horse and find you will become in tune with your horse’s needs.

What oils are you using? Have you found an oil which I have not mentioned or one which should be mentioned? Please email me or put a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.

~Laura

Disclaimer:
Information provided is meant to be used for informational and educational purposes. I am not a medical professional and information is not intended to replace a doctor or to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. Use the information at your own risk and using the information is the responsibility of the reader. 
Please see your doctor or health care professional for medical evaluation.