Catherine Bird
Hi, I am Catherine, an Aromatherapy Consultant, in Sydney, Australia.
I specialise in massage and the use of pure plant extracts with horses.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils. They can be used to achieve a
physiological effect in the body or to affect the emotional state of a horse
or human.
The essential oils have a molecular structure that make it easy for them to
enter the bloodstream via the hair follicles, being easily excreted out by
the urinary system.
When an odour molecule hits the olfactory nervous system in the nose, the
receptors signal the limbic system of the brain to release neurochemicals,
allowing us to reconnect to good memories and uplift our spirits.
I like to massage a horse using whatever technique is most appropriate,
whether it be equissage, myofascial release or lymphatic drainage and then
apply an aromatherapy massage oil blend to the areas that needed the most
attention. Because of the power of essential oils, you do not need to apply
them to the whole body of the horse, and you only need to use weak dilutions
in a cold-pressed vegetable oil.
The essential oils also have a vibrational or spiritual use I like to
explore when working on horses, as what we see in the physical is only a
small part of what is.
Basil can be used to release deep muscle spasms, help the rider and horse
focus on a dressage test. Its amphoteric and acts to relax or stimulate
depending on what other oils and intent you have decided to use with basil.
Lavender can be used to cool tissue inflammation and cool hot emotions. It
is excellent for clearing away the hassles of the day. If you lose your
temper with your horse and want to calm both you and your horse down to
reconnect, lavender will provide the space to do so.
Geranium will act as a mild analgesic, and balance emotions and hormones. It
creates a great space for negotiating, a handy one to waft around the
scorekeepers area if you want to dispute a result.
Frankincense will help wash out old, slow healing wounds, and rejuvenate a
tired old body. It is the fear remedy of the essential oils and will drive
away any fears or phobias.
There are many essential oils you can use with your horse, though care
should be taken that you only apply pure plant extracts and not synthetic
oils.
Please minimise the dilutions so as not to irritate your horse's skin and
remember some oils that are safe on humans are not safe on horses so please
be guided by a professional until you have an understanding.
I enjoy massaging horses, every day is magic.
Having used it for years on people I was surprised when a friend asked
desperately for me to massage her horse who had fallen through a fence. I
had vaguely contemplated it in the past but it was an idea most people in
Australia were not interested in at the time, so when this worked so well, I
changed my whole approach to massaging and shifted my focus onto horses.
Its taken a long time to make it viable and a lot of learning, owning a pony
as an 8 year old did not prepare me properly for a career in equine massage,
but it did lead me into an exciting life.
On the list I like to explore the spiritual side of bodywork and how it can
be incorporated into the treatment of horses.
So welcome to our wonderful group of dabblers and therapists and may you
learn as much as I have from sharing ideas about our four-hoofed friends.
