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Introduction
Eastern medicines, such as aromatherapy, have often been proven only through anecdotal evidences, and thus rejected by the wider world of Western medicine. However, recent research and rigorous studies have begun to support what practitioners of Eastern medicine have long known to be true: aromatherapy can have a significant effect on the psyche, mood, and energy of the patient (Ali et al, 2015).
What the Research Says About Lavender Aromatherapy for Horses
It only stands to reason that horses, whose noses are roughly 50 times better than those of humans, would therefore be affected even moreso by aromatherapy. But is there any clinical evidence to support this? As it turns out, yes!
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Medicine (Baldwin et al, 2018) looked at the effects of diffused chamomile and lavender aromatherapy for horses being trained in dressage by measuring their heart rate variability (a more rigorous standard than simply heart rate). Without getting into the weeds of science, the study looked at whether or not lavender oil and chamomile oil would calm the horses.
If you're used to competing with FEI or USEF rulesets, you likely are aware that chamomile is on the banned substances list for its reputed calming effects on horses. I personally found it interesting, however, that chamomile was found to have "variable effects, none of which reached significance," where lavender (not a banned substance) was found to be an "effective as a calming agent."
So Where Does That Leave Equestrians?
In the study, the researchers used diffused lavender oil, and noted that the calming effect stopped when the lavender oil was taken away. Well, that's all well and good, but we don't have diffusers in our trailers or on our saddles, so how are we supposed to get a prolonged calming effect during these stressful situations?
Enter AHLERI's original Muzzle Butter At-Ease Formula. Muzzle Butter can be applied directly to the horse's nose and can maintain its scent for up to three hours! And the number one essential oil ingredient in the At-Ease Formula? Lavender! If you're looking for a non-invasive way to give your horse a helping hand in chilling out, Muzzle Butter At-Ease Formula may just be the product you've been looking for.
Resources:
Ali, Babar et al. "Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. Volume 5, Issue 8, August 2015, Pages 601-611. Accessed online: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115001033
Baldwin, Ann, Chea, Isabelle. "Effect of Aromatherapy on Equine Heart Rate Variability." Journal of Equine Veterinary Medicine. Volume 68, September 2018, Pages 46-50. Accessed online: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0737080618301266
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