How to use essential oils as a feed supplement

Essential oils can be used in three ways: aromatically (breathing them in), topically (applying to the skin), and internally (swallowing them).  This third method is a very easy and convenient way to use them, and my personal favorite method for my own oily pony.

If you are going to be feeding essential oils to your horse (or yourself), be sure to only use oils that are labeled ‘safe for internal use.’  Not all oils are created equal, and many of the cheaper brands are synthetic and not food-grade. Also, make sure to read the label - not all oils are edible, even from safe brands. For example, you should never use wintergreen oil internally.  For more information on where to get safe essential oils, contact me!

The easiest way to give your oily pony oils internally is to put it in their grain or complete feed.  It does not work well to apply the oils to hay, as it is more likely to get wasted and not actually consumed.  Simply put a few drops (5 to 10 depending on the size of your horse) on top of their feed.

Another way to feed essential oils to your horse is to put a few drops inside their lower lip.  Be careful that you don’t get your hand eaten if it’s a yummy smelling oil; conversely, your horse may not like having their lip handled or like the flavor or smell of the oil and may want to pull away, so be safe when applying it.  Don’t worry if some of it drips on the outside of the lip, it will still be absorbed there, just a little more slowly.

If your horse doesn’t get grained, and doesn’t like getting oils dripped in his lip, you can also apply it using a syringe.  Mix your oils with some water, put it in a small syringe and squirt it in his mouth like you would dewormer paste.  This can also be a great training tool for difficult to deworm horses: if you make it taste good, such as by using apple juice instead of water, or by using peppermint oil, they can learn to like having a syringe in their mouth!

Here are a few essential oils you may want to try adding to your horse’s diet:

Digestive blend: for digestive support; add to your first aid kit to give at the first signs of colic while waiting for the vet to arrive

Frankincense: for overall wellness

Peppermint: for digestive support; also can be added to water to encourage drinking water when traveling, showing, or other times of stress

Grapefruit: for metabolic support