Lavender Aromatherapy to relieve stress in horses
Lavender is a known essential oil to reduce anxiety and stress in humans. Research suggests aromatherapy treatment works to ease stress in horses especially when on the road. It was found that cortisol levels in horses vary greatly before and after a trailer ride. Increased cortisol levels are clear sign for elevated stress in horses. Unfortunately, especially with sport horses, there is a limit to what drugs can be given to relieve stress as there are numerous prohibited medications. Luckily, according to the United Stated Equestrian Federation, when inhaled through air, lavender is a completely legal substance.
This study examines two factors that can show stress in horses - heart rate and cortisol levels. This is the first study to look at essential oil treatment of cortisol levels. Cortisol is involved in a variety of cellular functions and if circulating for long periods of time can have a negative effect on the well-being of an animal. This is why reducing unnecessary chronic stress levels is of huge importance. As we know, competition horses spend a lot of time on the road and for a majority of them this can be very stressful and impair their performance.
Overall 8 horses were included in this study. Their heart rate was taken prior to loading on a trailer and again at the end of the 15 min drive. Along with their heart rate, blood was also taken prior to and after the ride to test cortisol levels. Horses were split in two groups, controlled (did not receive aromatherapy) and treatment horses (who received lavender aromatherapy in the trailer).
Both groups of horses showed increased cortisol levels and increased heart rate when on the road which again proofs that travelling can be very stressful for equines. Lavender aromatherapy did not help reduce heart rate in the horses involved. However, treatment horses that were exposed to lavender aromatherapy while in the trailer, did show suppressed cortisol levels which suggests that this type of treatment can have positive effects on horses when in a stressful situation. Further research is strongly suggested as stress relieving functions of essential oils have been shown in other species as well such as sheep and pigs.
> From: Heitman et al., JEVS 63 (2018) 8-12. All rights reserved to 2018 Elsevier Inc.. Click here for the online summary.
