As you can see, I have finally set up a bog, which many students have wanted me to do for a long time now. It has been a busy year with an incredible amount of interest in zoopharmacognosy, with fantastic results that students and graduates are experiencing with animals self selecting what they need to put themselves right.
HorseWorld Autumn 2011
The courses this autumn have been brilliant with animals teaching so much to the students. I could not have asked for a better selection. One of the horses we worked with was Doug, a young pony who had just been gelded. He had been rescued due to neglect. He was so dangerous that, they were not sure that we should work with him. If his aggression continued he would have to be PTS. We were not allowed to touch him as at the very least he would aggressively try to bit anyone. He circled the stable frantically until he was offered vetiver, which he took approx 1 ml by mouth.
A constituent in Vetiver, Khusimol, prevents V1a receptors being activated by vasopressin in the hypothalamus (activation of V1a receptors in this part of the brain is associated with aggression in males), which may explain the calming effect on male aggressive behaviour.
Each student held an oil. Doug stopped by each oil that he wanted and presented his head for them to be applied, namely valerian which activates GABA and Neroli.
He led back to the field much more calmly. The next day we worked with him in the field, he could have stayed away from us but came up to the students and gently worked with them selecting what he needed to help himself back to physical and mental health. He licked several oils from my hand and did not try to bit once, allowing himself to be stroked. Within 24 hrs there was no longer a problem touching him, leading him or walking out with him. You had to have been there, the change was truly unbelievable. Today he continues with the same calm behaviour.
The courses this autumn have been brilliant with animals teaching so much to the students. I could not have asked for a better selection. One of the horses we worked with was Doug, a young pony who had just been gelded. He had been rescued due to neglect. He was so dangerous that, they were not sure that we should work with him. If his aggression continued he would have to be PTS. We were not allowed to touch him as at the very least he would aggressively try to bit anyone. He circled the stable frantically until he was offered vetiver, which he took approx 1 ml by mouth.
A constituent in Vetiver, Khusimol, prevents V1a receptors being activated by vasopressin in the hypothalamus (activation of V1a receptors in this part of the brain is associated with aggression in males), which may explain the calming effect on male aggressive behaviour.
Each student held an oil. Doug stopped by each oil that he wanted and presented his head for them to be applied, namely valerian which activates GABA and Neroli.
He led back to the field much more calmly. The next day we worked with him in the field, he could have stayed away from us but came up to the students and gently worked with them selecting what he needed to help himself back to physical and mental health. He licked several oils from my hand and did not try to bit once, allowing himself to be stroked. Within 24 hrs there was no longer a problem touching him, leading him or walking out with him. You had to have been there, the change was truly unbelievable. Today he continues with the same calm behaviour.
Fiona was a great teacher too. She was a gypsy horse who at first showed no interest in anything I was doing and just wanted to escape. Until we made her a pain alleviating gel, which we applied to her previously damaged legs. When she realised we were there to help her, she held each leg out for the application of the gel and then pointed to her hind legs. The students were very moved by Fiona and her personality, which emerged from this shut down horse.
The Small Animal class update to follow shortly
It was a great workshop Caroline - I came away inspired to continue to do what I can to help horses.Thank you very much!
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