Equitatio

17/11/2025

That was rather a busy weekend, taking part in a 3 day online R+ summit with 16 sessions with different trainers, lots to take it. Some are definitely going to need a re-watch.
I've also added some new products onto the shop, new herbs, new training accessories and some new items in the rumage bin too (you'll have to go and look if you want to know what they are.)

15/11/2025

🌿✨Boswellia – The Ancient Resin of Comfort & Calm for Horses & Dogs ✨🌿

Known for thousands of years as Frankincense, Boswellia serrata comes from the sap of a sacred desert tree, forming golden, honey-like tears that harden into aromatic resin. Traditionally burned in temples and healing chambers, it remains one of the world’s most valued joint, mobility, and soothing support botanicals.

🐴✨ Benefits for Equines

* 💪 Joint & ligament comfort, especially in seniors or hard-working horses
* 🌬️ Supports healthy, calm breathing — helpful in dusty or stabled conditions
* 🔥 Helps regulate inflammation naturally without drowsiness
* 🧠 Offers gentle emotional grounding for anxious or box-rested horses

🐶✨ Benefits for Canines

* 🦴 Helps maintain comfortable, easy movement in active or ageing dogs
* 🌿 Can support dogs recovering from sport, agility, or long-term wear
* 😌 Promotes calmness & emotional ease when used aromatically
* 🛡️ Supports balance within the immune system

🌸 Resin, Essential Oil & Hydrosol — What’s the Difference?

*Resin powder / extract: Internal joint & immune support Professional dosage recommended; avoid with GI ulcers unless combined with mucilaginous herbs
*Essential Oil : Calming, grounding, respiratory support
*Hydrosol: Gentle emotional & skin support

🌬 Aromatic use can help settle animals during: transport, new environments, box rest, grief, or herd changes.

🏰 UK & Isle of Man Folklore

Though Boswellia trees don’t grow naturally in the UK or Mann, the resin travelled here via ancient trade routes, earning sacred status in:

* Medieval monasteries and herbal halls, where monks burned it to purify sickness and negative energy
* Seafaring communities, where it was kept aboard ships to protect against illness, storms, and “ill winds”
*Manx folk magic, where imported incense resins like Boswellia were burned during house blessing, birth, and Midwinter gatherings, believed to protect family, livestock, and soul-journeys.

*It was considered a bridge between the physical and spiritual world, used for protection, healing, clarity, and safe passage — values still reflected in modern emotional and neurological support work.

✨ In Summary

🌿 Boswellia = Comfort, Calm, Clarity, Connection

A deeply respected natural aid for joint comfort, respiratory ease, emotional balance, and immune harmony — when used knowledgeably, gently, and species-appropriately.

Buy yours here: https://shop.equitatio.co.uk/index.php?id_product=127&id_product_attribute=186&rewrite=boswellia&controller=product #/1-pack_weight-100g

07/11/2025

Herb focus Friday

🌿✨ Wormwood: The Ancient Protector for Horses & Dogs ✨🌿

With its silver-green leaves and distinct aromatic scent, Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) has been used for centuries as one of nature’s most powerful cleansing and protective herbs. Its name tells its story — once famed for helping to expel worms and purify the body, it remains a valuable herbal ally for both animals and humans when used with care.

🐴 For Equines:

* 🌿 Traditionally used to support digestive health and parasite resistance.
* 🐎 May stimulate appetite and encourage healthy digestion after illness or worm burden.
* 💪 Supports the liver and general detoxification.
⚠️ Note: Wormwood is potent and should be used only under professional herbal guidance — overuse can be toxic.

🐶 For Canines:

* 🐾 Can aid in natural parasite management when used carefully in blends.
* 🌸 Promotes healthy digestion and gut balance.
* ⚖️ In small, guided doses, may help with liver and gallbladder support.
⚠️ Not for pregnant animals or those with liver conditions.

💧 Hydrosol Uses:

* Wormwood hydrosol is gentler than the herb itself — a great way to harness its protective and purifying energy.
* Can be misted in kennels or stables as a natural insect deterrent.
* Used topically (diluted) to cleanse minor skin irritations or repel fleas and flies.

🌸 Essential Oil:
* Wormwood essential oil is highly concentrated and not suitable for internal use.
* When professionally diluted, it can be used externally in fly-repelling sprays or foot soaks.
⚠️ Always avoid direct contact with sensitive skin or ingestion.

🌕 Folklore & Tradition (UK & Isle of Man):
In British and Manx folklore, Wormwood was known as a protector and purifier — believed to drive away evil spirits, sickness, and ill luck.

* In the Isle of Man, sprigs of wormwood were hung in stables or braided into halters to protect horses from “the evil eye” and misfortune.
* Across the UK, it was burned to cleanse spaces, and travellers carried it in pouches to ward off disease and exhaustion.

This silver-leaved plant was also a symbol of endurance and clarity, guiding both humans and animals through difficult transitions.

✨ In Short:
🌿 Wormwood = Cleansing • Protective • Powerful🌿
A traditional herb for gut, liver, and energetic cleansing — deeply respected, best used with care and professional guidance.

Picture Credit: Me, from my herb garden

Buy yours here:shop.equitatio.co.uk (new herbs being added soon)

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03/11/2025

🌿 When Animals Lead the Way: A New Approach to Healing 🌿

Imagine your dog sniffing two small bowls of herbs, pausing, circling, and then carefully nudging one toward themselves. Or a horse stepping gently toward a particular hydrosol over another. This is zoopharmacognosy in action—the innate wisdom animals use to select what their bodies truly need.

As a qualified practitioner, I work with this intelligence through Innate Botanical Selection. Using herbs, powders, essential oils, and hydrosols in paired combinations, I give animals the opportunity to choose what resonates with them, supporting their own natural path to balance and wellbeing.

This approach isn’t just about physical health—it’s emotional, energetic, and holistic. Animals often reveal needs we might not even see, from calming stress to supporting digestion, immune function, or emotional resilience. By letting them guide the process, we’re trusting their instincts and empowering them to self-direct their healing.

Owners often tell me how remarkable it is to watch their animals engage with this process, making choices that feel intuitive, confident, and entirely their own. It’s a partnership, where we provide the tools and guidance, and the animal leads the way.

💚 If you’re curious about how your animal can choose their own path to wellbeing, explore our botanical selections or book a session today. Witnessing their self-directed healing is nothing short of magical.

[www.equitatio.co.uk www.shop.equitatio.co.uk]

31/10/2025

Herb focus friday

🌼💛Dandelion Root: Nature’s Gentle Cleanser for Horses & Dogs 💛🌼

Bright, cheerful, and often misunderstood as a simple w**d, Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is actually one of nature’s most powerful herbal allies. With its sunny yellow flowers, toothed leaves, and deep taproot, this resilient plant supports the liver, kidneys, and digestion — for animals and humans alike.

🐴 For Equines:

🌿 Supports liver and kidney detoxification, helping the body clear waste efficiently.
🐎 Acts as a gentle diuretic, reducing fluid retention and puffiness.
🌾 Encourages healthy digestion and appetite, especially after illness or medication.
💪 Rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, great for recovery and vitality.

🐶 For Canines:

🐾 Helps maintain liver and gallbladder health, supporting the body’s natural detox.
🌸 A mild diuretic that cleanses the urinary tract, useful for dogs prone to UTIs.
🍃 Encourages healthy digestion and reduces bloating or sluggishness.
* 💛 Boosts overall energy and coat health through improved nutrient absorption.

💧 Hydrosol Uses:

Dandelion hydrosol offers a gentle way to support detox and hydration.
Add a few drops to water (under professional guidance) to encourage liver balance.
Spritz onto coats for a revitalising, mineral-rich shine.

🌸Essential Oil:

True dandelion essential oil is extremely rare and not commonly used.
However, infused dandelion oil (made by steeping roots or flowers in carrier oil) is popular for soothing muscles and joints, especially after exertion.

🌕Folklore & Tradition (UK & Isle of Man):
In British folklore, the dandelion symbolised sunlight, endurance, and healing — a flower that never gives up. Children blew its seed heads to carry wishes on the wind, a tradition also found on the Isle of Man.
Manx folklore viewed dandelions as guardians of health, especially for working animals. Farmers brewed “dandelion tonics” for horses in spring, believing it would cleanse their blood and bring renewed strength after winter.

✨ In Short:
Dandelion Root = Detox, Digestion, and Daily Vitality🌿
A humble hedgerow hero supporting liver, kidneys, skin, and coat health for horses and dogs — naturally and gently.

Buy yours here: https://shop.equitatio.co.uk/index.php?id_product=12&id_product_attribute=9&rewrite=dandelion-root-chopped&controller=product #/1-pack_weight-100g

Picture credit: Me :-)
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19/10/2025

I can't quite believe it but after 10 months of hard study and lots of fun, it's official.
I'm now a qualified innate botanicals selection practioner 😳 I can't wait to see where this step of my journey takes me.

17/10/2025

Friday herb focus

✨ Burdock Root: The Earthy Detox for Horses & Dogs ✨🌿

Recognisable by its broad, heart-shaped leaves and prickly burrs that cling to coats and clothing, Burdock (Arctium lappa) is a powerful herb that’s as cleansing as it is grounding. Beneath the soil lies its treasure — a deep, fibrous root rich in inulin, antioxidants, and detoxifying compounds.

This humble hedgerow plant has long been revered across the UK and Isle of Man as a protector and purifier, believed to draw away illness and “bad humours” from the body.

🐴 For Equines:

* 🌱 Supports liver and kidney function, helping the body clear toxins naturally.
* 🐎 Promotes a healthy coat and skin, particularly for horses prone to sweet itch, mud fever, or dull coats.
* 🌿 A gentle digestive tonic, encouraging balanced gut flora.

🐶 For Canines:

* 🐾 Helps cleanse the liver and blood, supporting overall vitality.
* 🌸 Useful for allergies, itchy skin, and dandruff.
* 💪 Aids in detox after medication or during seasonal shedding.

💧 Hydrosol Uses:

* Burdock hydrosol is earthy and grounding — ideal as a skin mist for itchy, irritated areas or added to grooming sprays for a healthy shine.
* Can also be used to support digestion and detox.

🌸Essential Oil:

* Burdock root is not typically distilled into an essential oil. However, its infused oil (burdock root steeped in carrier oil) is a beloved natural remedy for nourishing the skin, aiding hair/coat health, and soothing irritation.

🌕 Folklore & Tradition:
In British and Manx folklore, burdock was known as a plant of protection and purification. It was believed to draw away sickness and negative energy — sometimes worn as a charm by people and animals alike. Farmers on the Isle of Man once hung burdock roots in stables to keep livestock healthy and ward off illness, especially through the damp winter months.

✨ In short:
Burdock Root = The ultimate herbal cleanser — supporting skin, coat, liver, and digestive health for horses and dogs, while grounding the body’s natural balance.

🌿 Nature’s detox with a touch of folklore magic. 🌿

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Buy yours here: https://shop.equitatio.co.uk/index.php?id_product=71&id_product_attribute=89&rewrite=burdock-root-chopped&controller=product #/1-pack_weight-100g

29/09/2025

I actually had this discussion with someone today, sometimes I can be too quick to consider getting off but if that choice means I can get back on later or tomorrow then it's not the wrong decision.

The toxicity of the “ride them through it” and “be a gritty rider” mindset…

The horse world has built a culture around the idea that the epitome of being a good rider is being able to ride a horse through anything.

A refusal to get off.

That endangering yourself (and in many cases, also the horse) is a badge of honour.

That it’s an inherently admirable trait to evade groundwork and try to do everything from in the saddle, even when the horse is showing you that they are struggling.

This belief system has led to many people growing up putting themselves in unnecessarily dangerous situations with their horses.

I was one of those people.

I took immense pride in my ability to ride through horses broncing, rearing and otherwise panicking.

I am lucky I didn’t end up with worse injuries than I have. I put myself in a lot of dangerous situations that were avoidable.

All because I was taught a narrative that to get off the horse is to be weak.

That dismounting was a failure. That it was letting the horse “win.”

But, training isn’t a battle.

And if your training resembles a battleground, you’re doing something wrong.

Creating lasting confidence in horses often involves meeting them where they are, not forcing them to work through increasing stress until they either fatigue physically and stop fighting or mentally shutdown.

We should be encouraging riders to know when to stop when they or their horses are struggling with anxiety and lack of confidence.

We shouldn’t be trying to push people to ignore the alarm bells that their brain is sending them and ride through it anyways.

Ground work is a powerful training tool.

Getting off the horse, even if just for a short pause, can be a powerful reset.

It can allow both horse and rider to regulate.

We need to do away with the archaic “cowboy on” mentality that leads people to believe that they need to endanger themselves in order to become a good trainer.

The best trainers and riders are the ones who learn to operate in a way where they avoid stressing horses to the point of explosives.

Where they can develop a horse without the extreme anxiety.

The best trainers make training look quiet and easy.

Sure, it might not be as entertaining and dramatic to watch.

But it is infinitely better for both horse and rider.

20/09/2025

Friday herb focus (on a Saturday again)

🌹✨ Rosehips: Nature’s Vitamin Boost for Horses & Dogs ✨🌹

After summer’s blooms fade, the wild rose leaves behind a precious gift — rosehips. These bright red-orange fruits of the wild dog rose (Rosa canina) are small, oval, and jewel-like, bursting with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.

🌿 Why Rosehips for Animals?

🐴 Equine Benefits:

* Supports joint health thanks to natural anti-inflammatory compounds.
* Boosts immune resilience, especially through winter.
* Aids circulation and hoof health, keeping horses strong from the inside out.

🐶 Canine Benefits:

* Provides a natural source of Vitamin C to help recovery from illness or stress.
* Helps manage arthritis and mobility issues in older dogs.
* Promotes a glossy coat and healthy skin.

💧 Hydrosol Uses:

* Gentle and soothing, rosehip hydrosol can be used as a skin toner for irritations, or misted for a calming environment.

🌸 Essential Oil:

* Rosehip doesn’t yield a traditional essential oil. Instead, its seed oil is cold-pressed — a rich, golden oil packed with fatty acids.
* Applied topically (always diluted for pets), it nourishes dry, itchy, or scarred skin.

🌕 Folklore in the UK & Isle of Man:

* In British folklore, wild roses and their fruits were symbols of protection and healing. Rosehips were strung into charms to guard against illness and misfortune.
* On the Isle of Man, rose bushes were planted near cottages to ward off evil and bring blessings, with the hips gathered in autumn as a tonic for both humans and working animals.

✨ In short: Rosehips are a nutritive superfood and gentle healer, helping to support joints, immunity, skin, and overall vitality for horses and dogs alike.

💬 Do your animals enjoy rosehips? Share your experiences below!

Buy yours here: https://shop.equitatio.co.uk/index.php?id_product=22&id_product_attribute=29&rewrite=rosehip-powder&controller=product #/1-pack_weight-100g

Photos by me from my hedgerow herb garden

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12/09/2025

Friday herb focus

🌿✨ Astragalus Root: Strength & Vitality for Horses & Dogs✨🌿

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), also known as Huang Qi, is a hardy perennial plant with slender stems, pinnate leaves, and small yellow flowers. Traditionally used in Chinese herbal medicine for immune support and vitality, this remarkable root is gaining attention for holistic equine and canine care.

💪 Why Astragalus for Animals?

🐴 Equines:

* Supports immune function and resilience against seasonal illnesses.
* Promotes stamina and recovery, ideal for performance or aging horses.
* May assist in respiratory health and cardiovascular support.

🐶 Canines:

* Strengthens the immune system, helping dogs stay healthy year-round.
* Supports recovery from stress, illness, or surgery.
* Can help maintain energy and vitality in older dogs.

💧 **Hydrosol Uses:**

* Mild and safe; can be added to water for immune support.
* Can be used topically for minor skin irritations or inflammation.

🌸 Essential Oil:

* Astragalus is not commonly distilled into essential oil. Its healing benefits are best derived from root infusions, decoctions, or hydrosols.

🌕 UK & Isle of Man Folklore:
While Astragalus is not native to the UK, traditional herbalists in Britain have long respected it as a “longevity and strength” root, valued for protection, resilience, and vitality in both humans and animals. On the Isle of Man, roots and tonic herbs like Astragalus were sometimes included in blends to support working animals through harsh seasons.

✨ In short: Astragalus root is a natural tonic for immune strength, stamina, and overall resilience — perfect for horses and dogs who need an extra boost. Always consult a qualified herbalist or veterinarian before introducing new herbal remedies.

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Buy yours here : https://shop.equitatio.co.uk/index.php?id_product=9&id_product_attribute=69&rewrite=astralagus-root-chopped&controller=product #/1-pack_weight-100g

05/09/2025

Friday herb focus.

🌿💜 Mallow Magic for Horses & Dogs 💜🌿

With its soft, velvety leaves and delicate lilac-pink flowers, Mallow (Malva sylvestris) has been treasured for centuries as a gentle healer. In the UK & Isle of Man*, mallow was a “comfort herb”, planted near homes to bring peace, protection, and harmony — for both people and animals.

✨ Why Mallow for Equines & Canines?
Its leaves are rich in mucilage, a soothing gel-like compound that calms irritation inside and out.

🐴 For Horses:

* Supports digestive comfort (especially for gastric irritation).
* Helps ease respiratory irritation from dust or coughs.
* Applied externally, calms mud fever, rubs & skin irritations.

🐶 For Dogs:

* Settles mild gastritis and digestive upsets.
* Comforts kennel cough or throat irritation.
* Soothes itchy, inflamed skin when applied topically.

💧 Hydrosol Uses:

* Safe and gentle — mist onto bedding, spray onto itchy coats, or add (tiny amounts under guidance) to water for digestive support.

🌸 Essential Oil:
Mallow does not yield a true essential oil — its healing gifts are best used via leaves, flowers, infusions, and hydrosols.

⚖️ Marshmallow vs. Common Mallow

These two cousins from the *Malvaceae* family often get confused — but they’re not the same:

💜 Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow)

* 🌱 Tall perennial with pale pink-white flowers and grey-green leaves.
* 🌿 Root is especially rich in mucilage → powerful demulcent.
* 🩺 Strongly soothes coughs, ulcers, bladder irritation & gut lining.
* ➡️ Best for deeper, internal healing.

💜 Malva sylvestris (Common Mallow)

* 🌱 Shorter, branching with purple-pink veined flowers.
* 🌿 Leaves & flowers contain mucilage (less than marshmallow) + tannins & flavonoids.
* 🩺 Calms mild respiratory & digestive upsets, excellent for topical skin care.
* ➡️ Best for gentle, everyday support.

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🌕 Folklore Wisdom:

* Marshmallow was considered a sacred herb of protection and healing in Europe.
* Mallow was a household ally, used in charms for love, peace, and comfort in the Isle of Man and across Britain.

✨ In short:
👉 Marshmallow = powerful, root-based healer for deep internal soothing.
👉 Common Mallow = gentle, leaf & flower ally for everyday calm & care.

Picture credit, me, from my herb garden.

Buy yours here: https://shop.equitatio.co.uk/index.php?id_product=86&id_product_attribute=120&rewrite=marshmallow-leaf-cut&controller=product #/1-pack_weight-100g

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29/08/2025

Friday Herb Focus (on time, though yes I've missed a couple of weeks)

🌼✨ Chamomile: A Gentle Healer for Horses & Dogs ✨🌼

With its delicate daisy-like blooms, Chamomilehas been treasured for centuries in UK & Isle of Man folklore as a plant of healing, peace, and resilience. On the Isle of Man, it was sometimes planted along paths — believed to bring good fortune to those who walked over it, and to soothe both people and animals.

But did you know there are two main types of chamomile used in herbal care?

🔹 German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

* Taller plant with airy, branching stems and sweet apple-like scent.
* Rich in azulene, giving its essential oil a deep blue color.
* Stronger anti-inflammatory and skin-healing actions.

🔹Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)

* Low-growing, mat-forming perennial often found in lawns.
* Oil is pale and sweet, with a crisp, apple-like aroma.
* More renowned for its calming, soothing, and digestive properties.

🌿 For Equines:
🐴 German Chamomile can support horses with mud fever, skin irritations, or sore muscles.
🐴 Roman Chamomile is ideal for stressy, nervous horses or those with digestive upsets.

🐶 For Canines:
🐾 Roman Chamomile is a go-to for anxious dogs, easing separation stress and promoting restful sleep.
🐾 German Chamomile shines in skin care, helping soothe itchy hot spots, rashes, or allergies.

💧Hydrosols:

* Gentle and safe for both species.
* Spritz on bedding for calm, mist over itchy coats, or use in grooming sprays.

🌸 Essential Oils:

* Highly concentrated — always dilute and use under guidance.
* Roman: calming massage blends or diffusion for anxiety.
* German: targeted skin applications in well-diluted topical blends.

🌕 Folklore Wisdom:
Chamomile was said to thrive when walked upon — a symbol of resilience, healing, and endurance. In Manx tradition, it was sometimes carried to protect against bad dreams and misfortune.

✨ From ancient folklore to modern holistic care, chamomile remains a gentle yet powerful ally for both horses and dogs. Always use with respect and professional guidance.

Buy yours here: https://shop.equitatio.co.uk/index.php?id_product=72&id_product_attribute=91&rewrite=chamomile-flowers&controller=product #/1-pack_weight-100g

Picture credit, me, from my herb garden.

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