Never use essential oils straight out of the bottle. They must be diluted with a base oil. Use essential oils on your horse's body to help him reach a state of balance and well-being. It is important before you begin to ensure the quality of the essential oils and the base oil you intend to use.
In most cases, essential oils will not feel greasy or leave a greasy residue on paper. If they do, they may have been adulterated with vegetable oil. Essential oils will not dissolve in water. They have been extended with an emulsifier if they do dissolve in water or leave a milky trail.
"A horse's skin is sensitive. Ensure the oils you are using are not fragrant oils as these may burn the skin. The skin is also susceptible to flaking if the base oil is not cold-pressed vegetable oil. The quality of vegetable oils for human consumption is not high enough for use in aromatherapy.Essential oils affect horses psychologically and physiologically." The dosages applied to humans suffice for horses. A rule of thumb is 100ml of base oil to carry 2.5ml of essential oil. Choose the type of essential oils to use, determine how many drops it takes to make a milliliter, and then begin to blend your massage oil.You may incorporate the blend in a style of massage you already use or you may use it as a spot liniment.
Essential oils absorb through the skin via the hair follicles as their molecular structure allows them to pass between the dermas and enter the bodyás extracellular fluids. With this in mind, your massage strokes are long and sweeping, warming the body and hastening up the absorption of essential oils. If you find an area of muscle resistance, you may concentrate your techniques there, always remembering to resume the original intent of your massage. It may take as long as a week for the body to absorb and metabolize the essential oils and excrete them out through the urinary system. You should check on which essential oils are restricted in your area of competition.
Getting Started: A blend for sore and tired muscles
This blend will improve circulation to muscles and relieve anxiety. Essential Oils used undiluted can be toxic.
Rosemary
10 drops
Bergamot
4 drops
Juniper
6 drops
Lavender
5 drops
If the dropper dispenses 40 drops to make a ml., then use 25ml of cold-pressed vegetable base oil.
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Catherine Bird has a Natural Therapy practice in Randwick, Australia. She has successfully transferred her skill from humans to horses. Her contributions to the Holistic Horse are based on years of work with horses, from day-old Thoroughbred foals to Olympic-level competitors. Catherine is a qualified Aromatherapist, Medical Herbalist and Massage Therapist.