Horses are subjected to a lot of stress. They are constantly being taken from one place to another. They also have to be groomed and taken to the vet. A team of researchers at the University of Arizona has found that lavender can instantly lower a horse’s stress level. The researchers found that when the horses inhaled lavender from a diffuser, their heart rates dropped.
Ann Baldwin is a professor of physiology and psychology. She was also one of the authors of the study. She stated that you do not even need to use a diffuser. All you have to do is put some lavender oil on your hand and let your horse sniff it. The researchers in the horse used an air horn to startle the horses. The horses’ heart rates increased in response to the noise. However, their heart rates decreased quickly when they inhaled the lavender.
There was another study done that had similar findings. There were nine horses, and they were led to a small paddock by a volunteer. Every volunteer had a lavender oil diffuser.
The horses heart rates did not change much. However, the parasympathic component of heat rate variability did change. This is known as RMSSD. If RMSSD is higher, then this means that the horse is relaxed. Lavender oil helped increased RMSSD.
The researchers also noticed that the horses appeared more relaxed. They started licking and chewing when the lavender was applied. They also lowered their necks, which was another indication that they were relaxed.
The researchers performed similar experiments with chamomile and water vapor. However, they did not produce the relaxing effects that lavender oil did. The researchers also believe that lavender oil may be a better alternative to tranquilizers. These medications are often used as a long-term solution for anxiety in horses.
