Blue a horse by name and nature
January 16th 2008 04:33
pic from www.freefoto.com - I didn't have a pic of Blue, so decided on a blue flower to reflect this blog
Using aromatherapy with horses helps the owner and therapist connect with each horse on a physical and emotional level that may be difficult to obtain without the use of essential oils.
The scent molecules access the horse's and owner limbic system. It takes nanoseconds for their body (s) to respond to the instructions the hypothalamus glands receive from the olfactory bulb. The limbic system is the seat of emotions and various neurochemicals govern how we express each emotion. Our patterning is expressed by how each of the endocrine glands is programmed to respond, with the scent molecule we are able to bypass our patterns and access a new pathway if desired.
On a physical level, the essential oil molecules are both inhaled and absorbed across the alveoli in the lungs or they are absorbed via the hair follicle into the bloodstream when applied to the skin. The molecule structure of the essential oils then targets smooth muscle tissue or in the case of the constituent camphor, attaches itself to the heme portion of the blood to circulate throughout the body.
When you take the horse as a WHOLE and work on both levels at the same time you will find you will access more dimensions of healing in less time. By chipping away at a physical problem neglects where the issue began, in the emotions. By dealing only with emotions you will only address what is current, and the backlog of emotions will stay stored in the body tissues until you address this physically.
Blue is a case history that exhibits how our body and emotions are so intricately linked, even in the equine.
Last week I was invited to massage a client's new horse. He was a Stock horse cross of some kind and a lovely dark chestnut and with a very Australian name, Blue.
Now Blue taught me a very valuable lesson last week, he reminded me of the importance of being aware of a problem before you can address it. Healing can only go to a certain level if you are not participating and becoming aware of what you need to address in your life, with horses this is no different. If you start out unaware, become aware as your work, stay open to what the issue may be.
Blue was totally "not there" during most of his massage. He gazed off across the scarpment, he ignored any of his owners attempts to stop him from chewing on the tufts of grass, and he had himself so removed from the massage it was very difficult to make a connection.
He had been a showjumper and was now learning dressage, so he had a few shoulder issues. As I massaged them I found the muscles were as unresponsive as was Blue's attention to me. His owner even commented that her new horse was not 'with us' and she was concerned he was not participating.
The turning point to this massage came when I decided it was time to apply some aromatherapy to his shoulders. I chose essential oils that addressed muscle spasms, but that also helped the mind to focus. As soon as my hands were under Blue's nostrils he became alert. Eyes widened, he held his head up high and he began to show an interest in what I was doing. When I applied the oils to his shoulders you could feel his attention observing me this time, and the muscles finally began to ease out of their spasms.
Blue's awareness was triggered by Juniper that dissipates worry. Sometimes we can be so concerned about what may be about to happen, that we totally disassociate from the event. In this case Blue was disassociating from his massage, it was possible that this was his first experience of body work and unsure of what I may do to him. I also used Basil to help him focus on what I was doing while using Lavender to sooth and nurture him. Mandarin was the final essential oil I added, to uplift him and allow him to feel safe with the process.
All these essential oils were blended in a 2.5% dilution into vegetable oil
and applied to Blue after he had sniffed the aroma. When selecting
aromatherapy for use with your horse, often the physical needs and mental aspects are addressed by the same essential oils. The mind and body are so intricately linked.
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Chiefbjules
Comment by Catherine
Natural Animals
also look at Orange, its very reassurring.
The Bach Flower essence Vervain might be a good one to give for a few months as well.
Comment by Chiefbjules
Update on the stallion's response - it was almost like he had had a sedative. I blended equal drops of the 4 (3 drops) in a bit of aloe gel and of I went with the grooming box, photonic torch and evil designs on his shoulders. I put some on his nose before we started (he was snuffling my hands from the blending so happy with it) and was fine being groomed and only tried to take the torch when I was working on his pectorals, the area he really battles me on. His neck and shoulders stayed more relaxed so were easier to work with. Quite a startling response! There were a couple of half hearted nips and a bit of pawing, but nothing like the 'Get away from me!' performance he has given since he arrived home. So pleased!
Cheers,
Julia.
Comment by Catherine
Natural Animals
Thanks for the update
Comment by Chiefbjules
Yes, the Juniper seems to be overpowering things a little to my nose but the horses seem happy enough. Maybe less of that and more of the other 3.
I tried some on the worry-wort rescue/endurance gelding last night and while he was still annoyed the others were being fed and he was not, he was also a lot more relaxed.
Glen thinks if we get one that works across the herd, he might just keep some in his hoof gear kit. We're already seen as a bit on the hippy side with the herbs, bodywork, barefoot and horses that look in show condition but rarely get shown. Sticking some aromatherapy on a horse's nose before Glen starts to check backs and hips before he trims could provide some real entertainment. LOL!
Cheers,
Julia.
Comment by Catherine
Natural Animals
it is unlikely you will get one that will work across the herd, and if you do, it may not work across the horse's Greg works on.
It has a lot to do with the horse's individual history and memories as well as their individual physiology.
Thats why aromatherapists blend individually each time.
I'd have to paste half the course material here apart from the space allowance, it wouldn't fit and way too much detail to go into here for the purpose of the blog.
Good luck with your adventures and keep us updated.
Comment by Chiefbjules
Yep, Glen's horse hates that blend. It's worked on the purebred Arab's to varying degrees but not on the partbred. The foal was not terribly enthused, either. Very interesting. I guess it did the job for the horse we want it ti work on. I think that is the softest his muscles have been ever he realised we are going to work with them.
Eventually I will do the course - if ever we get out of this blasted drought and don't start the feed bill with three round bales of hay a fortnight.
Cheers,
Julia
Comment by Catherine
Natural Animals
you will also find if you try your blend on the same horse in a couple of weeks, he may not like it. It depends a lot on what is up for grabs at the time to clear.
You're already picking up some good ideas, the more you play now the more you will get out of any study later.
A lot of this work also relies on your intuitive perceptions and how you read the horse at the time, so far so good
regards
Catherine
Comment by Chiefbjules
I am learning heaps, thank you. It helps to have people happy to chat. I have had oils there for years and never used them except the ti tree and eucalyptus oils. As I get more really good quality new oils this could become very interesting.The stallion was as if he had been sedated.
Something interesting among the herd is it seems all the horses of the same bloodline that like/dislike this blend. The partbred is of the same Arabian bloodline as the 2 purebreds who are indifferent.
The other factor is two of this indifferent trio have been abused by women rather than men, with the others having been belted around by men. This does not explain the foal though. He is of the same sire line as the pair that dislike the blend but the only abuse he has had is EI vaccination.
I will do the bay mare tonight and see if she has the same reaction as the pair that have been belted by women, as her abuse has been with women.
All very interesting.
Cheers,
Julia.