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She laid down and nickered after the treatment, He didn't crib for a week after the treatment, his anger issues subsided after the treatment!
Equine Self Selection or applied zoopharmacognosy is one of the most powerful tools I have been working with over the past 7 years! As a clinical Aromatherapist I have a deep passion for oils and herbs however zoocog and the innate ability for animals to heal is all inspiring!
The majority of my clients will say to me at the start of the session - I don't think this will work as my horse eats everything! NOPE!!! Time and time again the animal will only select what they need! The owners are wowed that the animal will only eat some of a particular herb whereas devour another!
What is less known is that the brain chemistry in the animal changes so that if the animal has an injury and is inflamed and sore. The signal is sent to the brain to make anti inflammatory plants and analgesics more appealing! The animal has the ability to sense that something is amiss and adjust their diets suitably. This is powerful and research has shown that no wild animal has poisoned itself due to eating poisonous plant matter. It seems that the reported cases are domesticated animals where food has been restricted and the poison is the only option.
The term zoopharmacognosy was coined in the '80's and so is a relatively new in terms of scientific research but of course it has been used since the beginning of time, We just haven't observed it. It is also quite a tricky subject to analyze due to the complexity of mother nature herself! For instance if we use magic mushrooms as an example ( for reference I have never taken or used magic mushrooms so this is another persons observation), Sometimes one magic mushroom could send you into orbit due to how strong it is whereas another time 20 magic mushrooms could have no effect.
Why is this? A plant can send secondary plant compounds to any part of the plant as a defense mechanism. The upper leaves of the trees in the Boreal Forests in America have fewer secondary compounds than the lower leaves because the animals that eat them can't reach the high leaves. The higher proportions of secondary compounds in the lower leaves are for protection. The Mayan Indians only harvest sacred Copal on a full moon indicating that timing is important to potency as well.
There are many other examples of this as well in nature and that is why scientist find it hard to write up results on their findings. The amount that the animal consumes may change daily to have the same effect as the secondary compounds within the plant matter are different due to a host of different reasons. I love this part of the subject as it is based on intuition and knowing! We sometimes do not need to have the answers or to be proved by science to know it works!
We are offering a two day masterclass on Equine Zoopharmacognosy on the 6th and 7th October in Longford. Hosted by the Lovely Caroline owner of Happy Horse Equestrian center in Longford. Book your place now and the option to bring your horse is available. Contact Jai or Caroline
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