28/10/2025
The theme for last weeks session here at the Charity was Self-Care. The young people explored this through the use of essential oils in horse care.
How the session worked.
Young people choose up to four essential oils, like eucalyptus, lavender, cedar wood. Wearing gloves, they squeeze drops of each on bits of cotton wool. They introduce the infused cotton below the horse’s nostrils, and observe the horse’s behaviour. Young people work in teams to feedback on the behaviour, what it means about the horse’s emotions and compare it across different essential oils.
The horse might move towards it, away from it, inhale it heavily, lightly, make licking and chewing jaw movements or might not do anything at all.
As different essential oils have different properties, a horse’s behaviour towards them is valuable insight into that horse’s physical and emotional health.
For example, eucalyptus is known to improve respiratory health and soothe muscle or joint pains. In this session, the horse showed a bigger interest in the eucalyptus by heavily inhaling that cotton, therefore expressing that they might need extra care for their muscles, joints or lungs.
Through this activity, young people experience the importance of self-care, caring for others and learn about the non-invasive pathways for checking in with themselves. Another great session.
