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Therapy lineGreen First Aid Kit for Horses: Natural Ways to Fight Insects and Regenerate Skin After Bites
Summer is a great time for horse lovers to spend time outdoors with their pets. The summer months are also a time when horses become targets for annoying insects. How to protect animals naturally? Think about essential oils.
Introduction
Flies, mosquitoes, midges and other insects can effectively make life miserable for grazing quadrupeds, causing discomfort and skin irritation, and even serious illnesses, fever and allergies. More and more horse owners are opting for natural methods of protection, avoiding chemical repellents that can be irritating, especially for horses with sensitive skin and young foals.
The Power of Oils and Vegetable Oils – Natural Repellents
Insect bites can not only be painful, but they can also lead to painful conditions, irritation, and discomfort.
Animals become restless and sometimes uncooperative as a result. Sometimes insect bites can cause ulcers and other serious ailments. One of the common conditions is IBH (insect bite hypersensitivity) – hypersensitivity to insect bites, which results in alopecia areata, among other things. There are studies that also indicate a connection between hypersensitivity to insect bites and hyperreactivity of the respiratory tract.[1].
There are many chemical repellents on the market. However, more and more conscious breeders are reaching for natural oils and substances that support protection against insects and do not cause irritation in animals with delicate and sensitive skin. Such substances include some essential oils and vegetable oils, as well as preparations based on hemp, which intensively support skin regeneration after insect attacks.
The Most Effective Essential Oils for Repelling Insects
There are at least a few essential oils that have powerful insect repellent properties. These include:
- citronella
- Clove oil
- lavender
- thyme
- peppermint
- rosemary
- geraniol
- tea tree
- eucalyptus
Basil oil also works well, and the best results are achieved with a mixture of different oils – we really need to test to see what works and for how long. A preparation based on a combination of citronella, lavender and tea tree oil works well. It is also worth remembering that many oils work in a broad spectrum, e.g. lavender repels insects and calms animals at the same time[2], thanks to the high content of linalool – a terpene that has calming and relaxing properties.
How to use natural repellents?
Essential oils can be used in a variety of ways, but should always be placed in an appropriate carrier: alcohol, gel or oil. They can then be sprayed or massaged into the animal's skin. Many animal owners try to create such preparations themselves, in which case the base substance can be, for example, apple cider vinegar[3].
Veterinary studies have confirmed that sprays using appropriately selected essential oils reduce clinical symptoms in animals related to insect bites, primarily itching. And it is this that most bothers our four-legged friends on the pasture or in the stable.
How to soothe insect bites naturally?
Even the best repellents do not guarantee 100% effectiveness. But we can help our pets alleviate unpleasant symptoms by using natural plant substances and oils.
These include:
- aloe: has a natural soothing and cooling effect
- coconut oil: moisturizes the skin and soothes irritations - breeders recommend applying this oil to the sensitive parts of the lower abdomen to prevent bites (lauric acid acts as a deterrent)
- hemp oil: moisturizes, regenerates, has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
We especially recommend preparations with hemp extract, because they are completely safe even for young horses and foals. The wealth of phytonutrients, terpenes and cannabinoids makes the delicate skin of horses exceptionally protected.
Summary
During the summer months, protecting your horse from insects is a priority for every owner. Choosing natural repellents is not only a step towards more ecological and safe solutions, but also a way to naturally support and protect our four-legged friends from annoying insects.
What is worth remembering?
- essential oils such as citronella, eucalyptus, lavender or peppermint can significantly reduce the risk of bites while also taking care of the health of the horse's skin
- for animals with sensitive skin and young foals, gentle and natural ingredients help avoid irritation
- after bites, it is worth reaching for natural soothing products such as aloe, coconut oil or hemp oil, which additionally supports skin regeneration thanks to its properties
- the horse sweats, and the essential oils evaporate with it, so it is important to repeat their application systematically (even every 2 hours)
- test, mix, look for what will serve your pet best
By using natural solutions, we can take care of horses in a safe, effective and natural way. Essential oils are gifts of nature that horses know very well. After all, they have been encountering them in meadows and pastures in the plants they eat for centuries.
You can also read more about essential oils and how they have a multidimensional effect on animals in our post: Horse Aromatherapy – How to Use the Natural Power of Essential Oils?
[1] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jvim.14817
[2] https://zlotykon.pl/REPELENTY-NA-KONSKICH-KRWIOPIJCOW-blog-pol-1597219466.html
