Peppermint, Not Just A Horse Treat: Using Peppermint Essential Oil For Horses

Most people who have been around horses for any length of time know that horses LOVE peppermint! Peppermint has been used as a cure-all for thousands of years by many ancient civilizations ranging from the ancient Egyptians to the Chinese. Horses are naturally drawn to the natural health properties of the peppermint plant (Mentha piperita). Animals instinctively know what plants are beneficial to their health and seek them out in their diets. Ancient peoples followed suit and learned from observing nature. You'll be surprised at some of the benefits of peppermint for your horse and see the importance of having it handy in your barn's medicine cabinet.

Natural Remedy For Colic/Digestive Upset

One of the most powerful benefits of peppermint essential oil is its positive effects on the digestive system. It has been used as a remedy for nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, indigestion and gas. Peppermint has a very soothing effect on the stomach and intestinal tract of the horse, and as such is a must for any natural colic remedy kit.

For horses showing signs of colic, while you are waiting for your vet to arrive, allow them to inhale some peppermint essential oil. Then drop about 20 drops of the oil into the horse's mouth by pulling out the lower lip and dropping the oil in the space between the lip and gum. You'll also want to apply 20 drops of the oil to the horse's umbilical area. Repeat about every 30 minutes as needed.

Natural Pain Relief For Sore Muscles And Joints

Peppermint essential oil is a wonderful pain reliever and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. I use it on myself for tension headaches and sinus pressure. It can also be applied directly to painful muscles and/or joints. You can use peppermint essential oils during in conjunction with an equine massage, particularly at the poll, temporalis (forehead) and TMJ areas. The oil seems to have a very relaxing effect on most horses when applied to these areas.

A Quick Summer Cool Down

If you have ever applied peppermint essential oil to yourself, you'll understand the cooling effect it has on the body. During hot weather, you can provide your horse with some quick relief by putting a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a bucket of water and sponging them down with it.

HINT: You can also fill a water bottle and add a drop or two of peppermint essential oil for a nice cooling spritzer for yourself on a hot summer day!

Aide Concentration And Alertness

According to Dr. Mary Starr, studies show that peppermint actually increased focus by 28% and that some schools encouraged teachers to give peppermint candy to their students just before testing. If you have one of those horses that has a hard time maintaining focus or has a short attention span, try putting a drop or two of peppermint essential oil in the feed bucket at feeding time or give it to them just before a training session.

Natural Pest Control

Peppermint essential oil has been used as a natural pest control for centuries. Its strong smell is useful in repelling insects like fleas, roaches, flies, mosquitoes and ants and has even been used to deter rodents. It's a great addition to any natural pest control program in your barn.

Add several drops of peppermint essential oil to a spray bottle with water and spray your horse down as an inspect repellent.

Soak cotton balls with peppermint oil and place around your home or barn to keep rodents and crawling insects away.

Natural Flavoring

In addition to all the wonderful health benefits of peppermint essential oil, it tastes really great too! To ensure that your horses drink enough water during both the summer and winter months, add a drop or two to their water buckets. It is a great inexpensive alternative to having to add molasses or other sweeteners to your horse's water.

The next time you are offered a peppermint, remember some of these benefits. Adding peppermint essential oil to your barn can replace several chemical-based products, making it a cheap and efficient natural alternative for your horse care arsenal.

Share your uses for peppermint oil by commenting on this article.

About The Author:

Lisa Carter is a Certified Equine Massage Therapist (CEMT) with multiple certifications in equine bodywork.  She incorporates her knowledge and experience with Parelli Natural Horsemanship, equine bodywork and as a veterinary technician to provide her clients with the resources they need to make informed decisions for their horses.  She encourages and facilitates network building between equine health care professionals, working together to find the best combination of therapies to meet the needs of the "whole horse".  

Are you ready to get better results with your horse?  Put your equine health care team to work so you and your horse can be doing what you were meant to.   Click here to get started!

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