A remarkable two days at Gonsal Farm Equine Rehabilitation Centre in Dorrington near Shrewsbury



After theory in the classroom we moved out onto the yard to address a varied selection of conditions. In many rescue centres the first stage is to work with anxiolytic oils before moving onto remedies that help horses cope with their traumatic past. Caroline was surprised that these anxiolytic remedies were barely needed, instead the session went quickly to stage two, which focuses on past trauma combined with nurturing and comforting remedies.

Amy

Amy was a very fearful pony who had, had extensive procedures to treat a tooth abscess. When we arrived we were faced with a pony that had previously stood on her hind legs to box anyone attempting to touch were the abscess had been. The burst abscess left an open sore that she was very protective of.

We worked extensively with calming and nurturing oils to get her to a place of trust. Next, we offed Green Clay for its healing and protective properties, however the problem would be how to apply the clay since she allowed no one to get close, and our policy is to never apply anything without the consent of the animal. She showed great interest in the Green Clay but would not let us near her face, so we put some on the ground, which she nuzzled into, applying it to her own leg so she could then rub it onto the sore under her jaw.



We then took it to the next stage, Hannah offered calming oils while Ali stood close by with the clay in the palm of her hand. Over a period of twenty minutes Amy slowly inched her way towards Ali, until finally she placed her jaw in Ali’s palm, pressing down hard into the clay, covering the sore. We all watched in anticipation and amazement as she grew to trust us, enabling her to heal herself.



Kimmy

Kimmy is an 11 year old mare who had previously aborted a foal and who would kick out sharply if her hind legs were lifted and extended. It was not known if the problem was a behavioural issue or due to some sort of pain. Kimmy was considered too dangerous for the chiropractor who came to work with her two days before our visit. We began the session by offering various painkillers over the stable door; of these she selected a small amount of Devil’s Claw, St Johns Wort and Arnica, in addition she selected calming and nurturing oils.



Next we made an ointment from St John’s Wort, Arnica and Aloe Vera gel, which we offered to be stroked onto her hindquarters, which she accepted while she was also inhaling her selected oils. As it was stroked on, her eyes softened and she lowered her head, however she only allowed us to go as far as her hock before gently lifting her leg to indicate that this was as far as she wanted it applied. This was a huge achievement and staff were very moved. Since she was in for the night we left her selected oils on the bars of her stable, so that she could continue to work with the aromatic extracts as required.

 The many faces of Kimmy

When we arrived the following day, Kimmy was standing with her nose on the bars gently inhaling the oils; she was calm and relaxed. She did not want any additional oils, but quickly positioned herself for the gel to be applied, presenting her hindquarters purposefully. On the first day she didn’t allow any gel to be applied to her off-side, however, today she presented this side first, once applied she turned to have her near-side worked on. This time she allowed the gel to be spread down the whole leg, then when she had, had enough she simply moved away knowing that she did not need to kick out as a means of communication. Next she lowered her head indicating that she wanted some gel put on her forehead/ pole, after its application she became very still, with heavy eyes and seemed completely at ease. The session concluded.

For safety reasons, only the RSPCA staff were allowed into the stables with horses that were under the high-risk-danger code. In these cases Caroline guided the staff with the plant extracts. All students remarked on the caring and compassionate nature of the staff, which was clearly reflected in the horses.

We would like to thank all who made it such a memorable and successful course.