When using aromatherapy with foals, I like the idea of allowing the foal to bond with its mother before introducing essential oils. In my practice, I have used essential oils comfortably on foals as young as one week old, both for the scent reaction in their behavioural centres and as physical application to muscle issues from the trauma of birth. Now please please note I am only talking about Young Living essential oils! If you are going to be introducing essential oils to your horses and foals you want to make sure you are only using 100% pure theraputic grade essential oils! the last thing you need to worry about is toxicity in your horses organs!
My main rule of thumb if you are applying essential oils to a young horse is: stick strictly to your 2.5% dilution, so as to not irritate their sensitive skin. Also keep in mind they are smaller, so what enters the body will circulate more quickly; you don’t want to give their liver or kidneys any surprises to filter.
If you are not sure if you should apply essential oils to your foal, ask him or her. The foal will likely be more curious about the scent than an older horse would be, usually either breathing more intently or turning away quickly. As foals have a shorter attention span than their elders, make your selection simple, offering no more than 6 essential oils in a session. Start slow! And to be honest I would start out with no more than 3 in the beginning!
Kathryn Yateman
