Safety Tips for Horses

Here are some additional SAFETY TIPS for Essential Oil use with horses:

• Only use Therapeutic or Medical Grade Essential Oils.

• Know your horse’s health status and the medications and supplements they are currently taking.

• Do NOT use oils on or near the eyes, ears, nose, or genitals of your horse.

• Use Caution with topical application of “hot” oils such as Oregano, Thyme, Clove, Cassia, and Cinnamon – dilution may be needed for these oils.

• Do NOT use water to dilute an Essential Oil that you’ve already applied. Rather, dilute with a carrier oil, like vegetable oil or Fractionated Coconut Oil.

• Do not apply oils after bathing while the horse is still wet.

• Do not use Essential Oils at the same time as another topical medication, including dermal patches.

• Do not panic if your horse has skin irritation or an adverse reaction. Immediately dilute the area with a carrier oil—most such reactions resolve within a few hours with dilution.

• Do NOT apply oils to the saddle area prior to riding.

• Caution should be used around animals that are pregnant, nursing, young, or on certain medications.

• Oils to avoid during pregnancy: Arborvitae, Basil, Birch, Cassia, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Thyme, Wintergreen.

• Observe your horse’s behavior when using or applying Essential Oils.

IMPORTANT:  In the event of an adverse reaction, dilute with a carrier oil – skin irritation is the most common, and most reactions resolve within 24–48 hours after oil exposure.