Case Study: Pablo, run-down, rain scald, kidney infection and back problems.....

​This is Pablo – a 22yr old Cob gelding from a treking centre. He came to us in September of last year because the owner of the treking centre said he had had a hard year and infact he did look pretty tired and shut down when he arrived. He wouldn't interact with any of the other horses and just ate and stood away from the others. He also had a history of Urinary problems. His presenting symptom’s included pain over the kidney area and wouldn't tolerate any pressure (noted when grooming) and very thick yellow custardy-type urine.

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​ Sometimes he would strain to pee and always made an awkward skewered type of stance to facilitate stalling. And with the winter that we had there was significant rain scald to tackle thrown in for good measure -again particularly over the kidney area.

​'Opening Up' with
​Angelica, Rose & Yarrow

​As with most horses Pablo was offered oils initially to help him relax into the session and open up – these included Angelica Root and Cornflower Floral water. No interest in Cornflower but a small but significant interest in Angelica. I then offered Rose Otto essential oil (also good at the beginning of a session to get the horse in the ‘zone’) he stilled, his eyes softened and he chewed and licked – a clear indication that he wanted to work with this oil. After a while, with his urinary symptoms in mind I offered oils such as Sandalwood, Juniper, Tea tree and Lemon. 

Not impressed with any until I produced the Yarrow (an anti-inflammatory) which is also offered for Kidney and Bladder issues (as well as a myriad of other conditions) – he was very keen to inhale switching from nostril to nostril. So I continued to offer Rose and Yarrow together until his interest declined – a good few minutes later.

​Anti-bacterial oils selected for Rain Scald                                        

I continued to offer oils for infection and among a selection he decided upon Garlic, Pine needle and a small interest in Lime. With infection in mind I also offered herbs to support the Kidneys – the only one he selected and ingested was a small amount of nettle powder (diuretic & rich in minerals).

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During my early morning walks around the fields I took the oils and offered them to Pablo. Within days he stopped showing interest in the anti-bacterial oils and his Kidneys were no longer tender and his urine clear. Interestingly enough, his field companion, whom also had a touch of rain scald didn’t select the Garlic but preferred Thyme.

Yarrow and Rose go deep !

Pablo processing

​​When next stabled in the yard Pablo showed significant interest for Rose & Yarrow – lowering his head, closing his eyes, going into a deep processing. 

Whilst in the field I noticed that Pablo was itching himself more than normal (particularly around his head & poll) and made a mental note to check that out in the next session.
Next time when he was in the yard I offered the Rose and Yarrow again – this time he was keen to ingest the Yarrow let down with Sunflower oil. 

This is quite a common phenomenon in this work, in that the horses (or dogs) will often inhale an oil for a number of days before they come to the point that they are ready to ingest it. Particularly Yarrow, which has emotional release qualities of anger and resentment – almost as if they are working up to what they are trying to tackle (emotionally). He went into a deep deep process and looked so so miserable.....

Neroli and Mimosa for grieving​

​I picked up the 2 main grieving oils – Neroli and Mimosa and he lowered his head over the Mimosa so that the bottle nearly disappeared up his nostril! I held tight to the bottle and he deeply inhaled with his left nostril. He went into deep process. After at least 5 mins, he started to come back to this world and I continued to offer oils for skin irritation. Thinking of the metaphysical causes behind skin irritation (anger, irritability) I offered Vanilla. He inhaled and nudged the bottle indicating he wanted to ingest. He then licked a drop off my hand. All good.......

To cut a long story short, slowly but surely he came back to life and started interacting with the herd and was often seen nuzzling with the mares and keeping them all in order.

Devils Claw, Wintergreen & Yarrow selected for Back Problems ​

However later in the spring he required more work as he developed a back problem where putting on a saddle resulting in copious amounts of kicking and swishing of tail.  Ingesting plenty of Devils Claw Root and inhaling Wintergreen and more Yarrow was the order of the day.  His coat started to gleam and he put on condition and whilst his itchiness never really fully went there was a significant improvement..To date, his urinary infection has gone and he pee's normally without a skewered stance. He has returned to his home now and is out working again.  A grand old gentleman giving years of service as a riding treking centre cob – he certainly made the most of his break here ! ​

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