Hello Amazing Horse & Pet Family,

Welcome back to From the Oil Cabinet, your mid-month peek into the essential oils I use most with horses and pets. During my recent presentation, “The Scent of Calm”, one of my slides featured a photo of Lucy, and I was flooded with memories as I shared her strong dislike of lavender and how petitgrain would have been a much better option had I known it at the time. It felt like the perfect moment to make lavender our next spotlight.

Summer brings a lot of stress for horses and pets. Fly season, fireworks, thunderstorms, not to mention everyday happenings like farriers, trailering, and changes in routine. If there is one oil I want in my toolkit, it is this one.

What It Is

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is steam distilled from the flowers of the lavender plant. That botanical name matters more than you might think. There are several plants called lavender, and they do not all behave the same way. Lavandula angustifolia, also known as Fine Lavender, is the one with the longest safety record and the most research behind it. Over 600 published studies. More than 200 human clinical trials. Lavender's aroma is soft, powdery, and floral with a light herbal quality underneath.

Fun Fact

One ton (1,000 kilograms) of raw lavender yields about 10 kilograms of Lavender essential oil. That’s a lot of flowers per bottle!

What Lavender Can Do

Lavender is one of the most versatile oils I work with. It supports a sense of calm during stressful situations like trailering, thunderstorms, and fireworks. It is one of my first choices for skin comfort after fly bites, minor scrapes, and summer irritation. During fly season, it fits naturally into routine skin and grooming care, helping to keep skin comfortable and healthy. And because lavender can help the body respond more comfortably to stress and change over time, it is one I reach for time and again. doTERRA sells it already diluted in its Touch collection.

A Natural Pairing: Red Light Therapy

Did you know your light therapy device can support your animal's natural ability to relax? Try using it on the Yin Tang point, located right between the eyes on the bridge of the nose. Shining your light here may help support a calmer state, gently shifting them from tension to ease. It is perfect for moments of situational stress like fireworks, vet visits, traveling, or new environments. Many animals visibly soften, and some settle into a beautifully relaxed state. Next time your animal seems unsettled, grab your light and give this calming point a try. It works for horses, dogs, and cats.

How I Use It

I might have mentioned that I also run a pet sitting service. I have been known to wear lavender to every Meet and Greet, and it is amazing how many comments I get from owners when their normally very shy pet comes over to investigate the smell. It is calming for the animals I work with, and I find it helps keep me calm when meeting new people too.

A Word on Quality

Lavender is one of the most adulterated essential oils on the market. A significant portion of what is sold commercially is not true Lavandula angustifolia at all. This is important enough that I am dedicating a full post to it in my Facebook group this week. If you want to make sure what you have is the real thing, that post is worth reading. When you are ready to order, you can find the lavender essential oil I use and recommend here →Lavender 15mL or if you prefer a ready-to-use option, the Lavender Touch roller is a great place to start →Lavender Touch.

Try This Recipe: Calming Litter Box Powder

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda

• 1 tablespoon Epsom salt

• 3 to 4 drops lavender essential oil

Directions: Mix together and let sit for a minimum of four hours before using. Sprinkle lightly on the litter as needed. Simple, practical, and something you can make in five minutes.

Tip: Add a few drops of lavender to your dryer ball when you wash your pet's blankets and beds. It freshens the fabric and leaves a light, calming scent.

As always, if you have questions about aromatherapy, red light therapy, or holistic wellness support for your horses or pets, please feel free to reach out. I am always glad to help.

With Hope, Hoofbeats & Care,

Shelayne