Here’s a quick tip for you and your horse. You can make your own hot compress and enhance the effect by adding therapeutic essential oil. The heat and essential oils penetrate deep into the muscle tissue and joints with the water in the compress acting as a driver for the essential oils. I use this technique to help soothe sore muscles and overall relaxation to the area.
I like to use this technique before and after workouts especially for a horse may have an old chronic issue that becomes aggravated from exercise. The technique may be applied to most areas of the body, but obviously you would have to hold the compress in place for anywhere other than the topline of the horse.
Some of my favorite essential oil blends to use for the relief of sore muscles are PanAway and Aroma Siez Essential Oil blends.
Aroma Siez – is a proprietary blend that contains basil, marjoram, lavender, peppermint, and cypress. It is a very good blend often used during massage and may help relaxation of tight, sore muscles following exercise. Should be diluted with a carrier oil, as some of the constituents of this blend are considered “hot” oils.
PanAway – is a proprietary blend that was created by Gary Young. It contains wintergreen, helichrysum, clove and peppermint. It, like Aroma Siez can be used to help sooth sore, fatigued muscles following exercise. The individual oils in this blend make it much more stimulating and invigorating to the tissues, making it perfect for post workout recovery. This oil should also be diluted with a carrier oil due to its constituent essential oils being “hot”.
Single ingredient essential oils have also been used individually or layered, applying one over the other. It’s simply a matter of what is readily available and the desired effect. When dealing with heat and/or inflamed tissues or stocking up, I like to use cold water with an essential oil that has cooling properties such as peppermint or wintergreen. I will often use warm water when I want to encourage relaxation.
Get your own therapeutic grade essential oils here.
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The information in this article is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition or illness, nor replace proper veterinary care. It is meant for information and entertainment purposes only. Always consult your chosen veterinary professional before starting your horse on any therapy.
Lisa Carter is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist (CEMT), with multiple certifications from several different equine bodywork schools. She incorporates her knowledge and experience with Parelli Natural Horsemanship, equine bodywork and as a veterinary technician to provide her clients with the resources they need to make informed decisions for their horses. She encourages and facilitates network building between equine health care professionals, working together to find the best combination of therapies to meet the needs of the “whole horse”.
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