What is Animal Aromatics?

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years for their therapeutic effects. Horses have the ability to be able to seek out various plants that will assist the regulation of their body systems, this they are able to do in the wild and to some extent in domestic pastures. At certain times of the year many horses love the wilting nettles, thistle heads, dandelions and fresh cleavers, and can be seen eating them as they obviously have a desire and need for them.

You might now be thinking, well or course they eat these plants, they spend their day eating! And of course this is true, however when we take a closer look we discover that they are in fact eating what we call primary metabolites (food) in order to obtain energy in the way of carbohydrates, enzymes, amino acids, proteins, lipids and fixed oils. Secondary metabolites (medicines) are only sought after by the horse, when they have a particular need for them. They are by nature bitter to taste and there is a very good reason for this. When an animal is not well changes in taste occur and the bitter tasting medicinal plant becomes very appealing. Of course to a fit and well horse the plant is unpalatable and this serves to protect the plant from being over consumed.

Animal aromatics allow the animal to self-select their remedies. Essential oils, aromatic waters, macerated oils and herbs are offered and responses to these noted. The animal will often express a desire to inhale or digest or just turn away if the particular remedy is not needed. Essential oils fall under the secondary metabolite category and are bitter to the taste and therefore will only be taken when needed.

  How Does Animal Aromatics Work?

When the horse inhales an essential oil, tiny molecules of the oil enter the nasal cavity and are received, detected and processed by the receptor cells located above the nasal cavity. Information about the essential oil is then transmitted to the olfactory bulb, which is located in the cerebral cortex of the brain and then into the limbic system. The limbic system is where the aroma is perceived and recognised and this in turn along with the hypothalamus gland instructs the release of neurochemicals throughout the body. Depending on the nature of the essential oil inhaled, the hypothalamus gland would instruct the release of endorphins and encephalin to reduce pain, serotonin to relax and calm or noradrenaline to stimulate and enliven.

It has been suggested that the vomeronasal (Organ of Jacobson), located at the back of the mouth, is used for extra screening of the inspired aromas and that the Flehmen posture allows the aroma to enter. The Flehmen posture is often exhibited when the horse inhales an aroma, which is particularly needed, and this posture in turn traps the aroma and forces it back into the nasal cavity. Interestingly, the vomeronasal organ is found in most mammals, but in humans seems to disappear soon after birth. This may be one of the reasons why essentials oils when inhaled have a greater effect on animals and that aromatherapy massage is found to be the effective method for humans.

The lungs also receive the tiny molecules where they are passed through the thin membrane walls and into the bloodstream.

Inhaling an essential oil offers a high absorption from a relatively small dose due to the rich vasculature and large surface area of the nasal cavity. It must therefore be noted that inhalation is the quickest method by which essential oils enter the body and take effect.

When applied to the skin, the molecular structure of the oil is small enough to enter a horse’s body via the hair follicle and sweat glands. It is also thought that they can permeate between the skin cells, through lipids (saturated fats) and as essential oils are soluble in fat, they can enter the dermis this way. Once there, they can reach the tiny blood capillaries and lymph, from where they are transported around the body by the circulatory system.

  What Happens During an Animal Aromatics Consultation?

I take a detailed consultation to help me with the selection of appropriate remedies to offer the horse. To operate within the regulations of the Veterinary Act 1966 I educate the owner how to offer the extracts to their horse safely and effectively, and how to interrupt the horse’s response to each oil.

When offering an oil to a horse, they usually show their need for the remedy by flaring their nostrils, trying to nibble the bottle, licking and chewing, eagerly following the scent as you move it around, pawing the ground and displaying the Flehmen posture to trap the aroma molecules for as long as possible. If the oil is not wanted/needed they will simply turn and move away from it.

When an appropriate oil has been selected by the horse, they usually take some time to process the molecular information that they have just received. As the aroma initiates the healing process they often become very relaxed, some go into a trance-like state enabling them to access the subconscious to release negative fears and emotions. Some horses become very heavy eyed, some focus on the aroma and become very still and others yawn repeatedly. This processing can pass in a couple of minutes of go on for some time and it is important that it is not interrupted.

Appropriate remedies are made up in individual bottles for the owner to continue with the treatment. I supply comprehensive instructions and safety information as well as on going support after the session.