 Over a decade of working with animals and self-selection/ Applied Zoopharmacognosy At a risk of sounding like an old woman (which in fact I am), doesn’t time fly?! I was looking for a folder in the office and came across this old article from a newspaper (for those of you under 20 a newspaper is a pile of large pieces of paper with writing on them that we used to clean windows and wrap chips in before Health & Safety got over zealous). I wrote this article for the Irish Horse Review (published April 2012) in an attempt to create an awareness of the animal’s innate ability to self-select herbs in order to restore health. It received a lukewarm (if not Baltic) reception and from that response, I knew my work was cut out. Therein followed much blood, sweat and tears to spread the word on Applied Zoopharmacognosy (self-selection) throughout Ireland and how it could help animal carer's support their animals and restore health. Since that time our work here at Whitethorn Herbals & Whitethorn Equine Health has increased rapidly and exponentially with Zoopharmacognosy making it onto mainstream TV along with being listed in Wikipedia!  My first talk in NI on herbs and horses self selecting in order to restore health Looking back over the last decade there have been tears, laughter, loads of joy as well as disappointment and copious amounts of fear when I have had to put my big brave pants on. There have been a few almighty cock up's (involving live streams - we shall say no more) as well as many, many moments of pure magic! It's never easy for anyone (or business) challenging the status quo and I have received my fair share of mockery, attempted bullying and downright rudeness. But I have also experienced incredible support from family and friends that believed in me and also just as importantly the seen (and unseen!) horse and dog community as we have gone on to build our tribe initially nationally and now globally.  Early days at Whitethorn Farm - building block by block! I won’t harp on about the fact that running your own business is not a walk in the park - some of you will already know this. Suffice to say during the first few years, visualise 70hr working weeks, coffee via IV drip, hands pretty much glued to the steering wheel and a hair style that Bob Marley would be proud of (come to think of it, that part hasn’t changed). And to be honest with you - I would do it all again in a shot! Such an amazing journey. When I built Whitethorn Farm (2000) and put up the stables (before the house of course!) I knew that I wanted to do something with animals but little did I know what was in store. I just knew it had to be in the animals interests.  In the garden with my siblings learning my trade with Jam jars and fallen rose petals I have heard it said that whatever you enjoy doing at the ages of around 7 or 8 is your true soul path as at that age you haven’t been influenced by society/education (ok, I know, controversial - but let's just park that topic there for another day). For myself, at 7yrs of age I could be found out in the garden making herbal potions using Roses and other plants, immersing them in water in jam jars and leaving them to infuse high up in the tree house away from my brother’s interference. I would come back and check on them regularly to check their potency in anticipation of giving them to one of the members of our menagerie! Which by the way, in it's hay day, had a dog, goat, donkey and around 19 guinea pigs and a few rabbits. And a tortoise which had our house no painted on it's under shell incase it went rambling (this was the 60's when things were different). All of that in suburban leafy Surrey (UK). I giggle to myself when I remember that when I am often working in the shop packing herbs or working with horses around the world on zoom. Tempus fugit!  To see any animal, receive what they need often after such a long period of lack makes my heart swell. To see a glimmer of hope or a sparkle of Love in the eye of an animal as they realise, they are being listened to and their needs are being met. To see the relief when healing is received, or a glance of recognition and appreciation from a fellow animal indeed is without doubt food for my soul (may I ask 'what feeds yours?'). These are things money cannot buy. They feed the soul like no other and it humbles me and I feel so privileged to work with our animal friends.
I guess the take home message here is, dreams do come true but at the same time you also make your own Luck, so set your sites high and do what it takes to fulfill your dream and your soul's destiny. And if there is such a thing as Karma, I must have been an angel in a past life, because I sure got lucky in this one - to do what I love and love what I do! Wishing the same for you, Carly
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 Selection of Organic dried Herbs We are often asked about how to care for our products and so we have put together some key points to bear in mind when using and storing our products. We take time to source the best quality available with most of our herbs and essential oils being organic. We want you to get the best from them and to keep them in tip top condition so read on! * Keep your herbs, powders and essential oils in a cool dry dark place - away from children * Make sure your lids and bags on herbs and essential oils are airtight * Keep all essential oils out of direct sunlight * Avoid storing in humid areas such as the bathroom, window, stove * Some oils such as sandalwood actually mature over time * Some citrus oils can expire sooner than others - approx 12 months * Keep the cap on, don’t leave cap off for long periods of time unless your animal is still selecting and using an oil/extract * Put the right lid back on the right bottle to avoid contamination! * Floral waters last for approx 1 year Just to note that we are the only supplier that provide named lids to avoid cross contamination 😄💚 which can be disastrous - for example putting the Garlic lid on the Rose otto bottle! PS Aromatherapy essential oils are not appropriate for the self-selection approach!  Selection of Herbs and Essential oils from Whitethorn Herbals  Herbs for horses living on a track system CONSIDERING CREATING AN EQUINE SELF-SELECTION HERBAL GARDEN? 🍀🍀🍀
You will see many 'equine herbal based' sites throwing around the idea of creating an herbal garden for your horses to select from. Whilst this is a laudable idea, we would like to share our experience as an Equine Clinic that has in the past created an Herbal self-selection area. It has to be said that herbs certainly are a lovely addition to any garden and indeed the horses love a range of herbs to select from. A herbal garden is also a is a great way of getting an indication of what a horse needs - providing you have an extensive range of the correct species (ie not hybrids or garden centre varieties). So it's really important to make sure you have the correct species growing. As we know, most paddocks and forage areas are normally quite sparse from a plant diversity point of you and when your horse finds a herb they need, they will decimate the plant! So of course, when they get the opportunity in a herbal garden they will also decimate the herb that they need. So thumbs up to the herbarium for indicating horses needs but generally a thumbs down for supplying their full needs!👌 However, you could try what Una Barker at Lagan Bank Lodge has provided on their track system. What a great invention! These self-selecting baskets have been successful for a limited amount of herbs. Lagan Bank Lodge comments that sometimes the plants would grow inches past the basket then other days they’d be trimmed right back to the edge, so the horses were self-selecting when needed. Pictured are Thyme, Chives, Oregano, Mint and Sage. On top of the tyres are hanging basket attached using cable ties. Please do visit Lagan Bank Lodge’s Facebook page. 💚  Grade A showjumping Molly selects herbals remedies Equine Zoopharmacognosy Level 2 Hybrid Workshop SMC Sporthorse Molly was the second of our equine participants for the Level 2 Zoopharmacognosy workshop held recently in Sligo at our Whitethorn Clinic and online through Zoom. Molly is a 13yr old A grade RID showjumper with a very sweet nature and engaged from the Get-Go! As per the previous blog, this hyflex workshop inlcluded two wide angle cameras set up in each stable so that attendees online could clearly engage with the session side by side with the onsite participants. They also had the ability to contribute with regards to suggestions of herbal extracts and essential oils to offer to Molly. Trish, Aurelie and Majella (Onsite attendees coming from Meath, Sligo and Galway respectively) worked with online participants Alison (NI) and Carol (UK)to offer medicinal herbal remedies to Molly.  Whitethorn Team Vet Kerstin carries out a pre-session vet check Molly's presenting symptoms SMC Molly is known to been arthritic in her hocks and also lost a foal this year. Kerstin our Team Whitethorn Vet completed a pre-session examination and found no obvious issues other than arthritis in the hocks.  Molly's favourites were nutritional extracts plus Comfrey and Arnica which are often selected for arthritis Day One of the workshop - Molly's selections Molly is an old hand at Zoopharmacognosy and was very forthright in what she did and didnt want. She was very clear in her selections and became very frustrated when they students were not quick enough to offer the correct extract she was looking for! To the point she would paw the ground and get quite agitated so we removed the box of herbs and reintroduced them one by one from the adjoining tack room. She selected extracts for nutritional supplementation - mainly Rosehips, Barley grass and a tiny lick of Dandelion root powder. She also took 500ml of Comfrey macerate and inhaled and licked Arnica CO2 (both are often selected for arthritis). She also selected Mimosa ab, Violet Leaf ab and Clary sage essential oils. These extracts are often selected for grief, anticipation of pain and hormonal imbalances in that respective order. Just to note, that Molly had a choice of outlets (window and door) from which she could extend her head as well as a large stable should she wish to remove herself from the process.  Molly went deeper with Mimosa absolute and other essential oils that offered support Day Two of the Workshop - Molly's selections On the second day of the workshop Molly's selections were similar but she went much deeper with the emotional oils. Again she took Comfrey macerate and Arnica CO2 and she demolished the Dandelion root powder whereas the day before she only wanted a single lick. She also gorged less on the Rosehips and infact when offered Rose otto she stilled and lost interest in them. Our onsite participant Trish offered Mimosa and as Molly took an interest she continued to offer supporting oils to help her work with the Mimosa. Molly went into a deep process. However, it was obvious that Molly had trouble letting go and kept dipping in and out of a state of process. This could be possibly because she is the matriarchial mare as pointed out by Alison online. The supporting oils offered to enable Molly to process were Sandalwood, Violet Leaf Ab and Rose otto. We will never know for what particular issue or trauma that Molly selected the Mimosa and supporting oils for but afterwards she was much brighter. Well done Molly and Level 2 students Trish, Aurelie, Carol, Alison and Majella! And to Izzy for holding the gimbal still for so long despite her numb fingers!
 Angel, 3yr old RID filly from SMC Sporthorses Equine Zoopharmacognosy Level 2 Hybrid Workshop SMC Sporthorse Angel was one of our equine participants for the Level 2 Zoopharmacognosy workshop held recently in Sligo at our Whitethorn Clinic and online through Zoom. Angel is a 16.3" RID 3yr old Filly with a beautiful gentle temperament and was an absolute joy to work with! This particular workshop was the first of our hybrid workshops and on many levels it was very successful. Two wide angle cameras were set up in each stable so that attendees online could clearly view the session. They also had the ability to contribute with regards to suggestions of extracts to offer to Angel which they all did splendidly. Silke and Gemma (Onsite attendees coming from Galway and the UK respectively) worked with online participants Trish and Ruth to offer extracts to Angel.  Kerstin, Team Whitethorn Vet assessing Angel prior to session Angel's presenting symptoms Kerstin, one of our Whitethorn Team Vets, carried out a pre session assessment and noted capped hocks and splints. This could well be due to rapid growth although just to note that her owner is an experienced knowledgeable horse woman and her diet would be appropriate for her age and breed/type. Her owner also noted that she has very itchy skin and this was evident when Angel was stabled although she had no bare patches or broken skin.  Silke offering Dandelion Root powder to Angel Angel's selections on Day 1 Initially she was offered nutritional supplementation which she selected with gusto! Her favourites in the area of supplementation were Dandelion root powder, Seaweed (dried) and Rosehip shells. We often find that horses with itchy skin select extracts to support the gut and Angel was no exception. She selected Peppermint essential oil, herbs in the line of Marigold flowers, Liquorice root powder and cleavers dried herb. She took a significant amount of the herb cleavers which are rich in silica and cleanse the lymph as well as promote skin, hoof and hair condition. She also showed an interest in Arnica CO2 and Tobacco extract. Interestingly enough, upon inhaling the Tobacco extracts, online attendees noted Angel have, what they described as a minor physical 'wobble' which they seemed to think was possibly of a neurological nature.  Angel selects Cleavers dried herb offered by Jai Angel's selections on Day 2 On the 2nd day of the workshop she selected similarly in the line of supplementation but then went on to select Devil's claw root which is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. She was also reoffered Arnica (which she had selected on Saturday) but interest was much reduced initially. Again on the 2nd day she selected cleavers in similar amounts to the first day. She didn't seem to be overly interested in any emotional extracts and this can often be the case when horses are focusing on physical nutritional needs. However, at the end of Sunday session she presented her left rump for a topical application of Yarrow essential oil and Arnica CO2. A physio attending the workshop noted that her bilateral hamstring group of muscles were hypertrophied (bigger compared to the other muscles) and hypertoned (tight, holding tension) so the topical application of Arnica CO2 and Yarrow essential oil would certainly help with this issue. We would just like to say a big Thank You to all our attendees, Angel and all of Team Whitethorn for making this workshop possible!
 Preparation for Level 2 Equine Zoopharmacognsoy workshop Recently we undertook the first dry-run for the Level 2 workshop later this month and we are getting very excited! In the mornings there will be discussion on issues such as barriers to success, Triggers, Mind-body connections, mixing modalities, emergencies, dealing with trauma. Case studies will also be referred to along with science papers where possible. Participants are joining us from all over Ireland and the UK, many of which are experts in their field and so we look forward to some lively enriching debate! In the afternoon, small groups of students will be assigned a horse along with a kit and a breakout room on Zoom (or should that be stable? ) Participants Online will be assigned a Breakout Stable and join in with the session by suggesting extracts to offer, take the session notes etc. Also part of the plan is to have a roaming Yard-Cam going from group to group catching snippets from each session for further interest for those online. Team Vet Kerstin will assess the horses prior to the workshop and also be on hand to give valuable input. Horses in Breakout rooms is an absolute first in the Equine Educational Industry in Ireland if not in the World. We are very excited about these developments and Welcoming you all to Whitethorn Farm either physically or virtually!  Preparation for Level 2 Equine Zoopharmacognosy workshop online and onsite  Carly is delighted to have been asked to represent the Equine Zoopharmacognosy Industry at the Equine Touch UK Conference in October. She will give a talk on how and why horses self-medicate on herbs and essential oils, along with looking at Case studies of horses that have benefited from this modality. Animal self-medication (or Applied Zoopharmacognosy) compliments bodywork modalities such as Equine Touch, Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, and Shiatsu. Extracts are offered during a body work session in order to support the releasing process. For example, Yarrow and Peppermint essential oils are known muscle relaxants and are often selected whilst bodywork is in progress. Black Pepper is also often selected for sore muscles whilst Rose otto is known to reduce adrenalin and can support the horse in letting go during a session. Carly is looking forward to spreading the word further and continuing to inspire Body workers on the benefits of Equine self-medication at this years Equine Touch Conference! A big 'Thank you' to all at Equine Touch UK for this fine opportunity!   We are delighted to announce that we will be opening up the yard again for an onsite learning experience for our students for our Equine Level 2 Zoopharmacognosy workshop. It will be really exciting to have old students and new coming together to discuss and work with the horses ability to self-select herbs and essential oils at a deeper level. We are also opening up the option of hybrid learning under the watchful expertise of Izzy our online learning expert. This will mean that students can attend the workshop either in person or online via Zoom. This is a new exciting challenge for us and preparations are well under way to make this the best experience possible for our students. Contents is as follows:
We very much look forward to bringing the yard back to life again with the fun of learning with our students! Click on the button below to book your place - we look forward to meeting up again! 
Issues such as Laminitis, Cushings, COPD plus emotional and physical trauma and pain have been resolved using this approach. An extensive learning pack is sent out to participants and includes a Herbal Compendium, Extracts for Conditions listings, Record sheets and presentation notes. Participants may work with their own case study during the course and avail of guidance from Carly during this time. Participants will also have access to a private Facebook group for support within the Zoopharmacognosy Community and the members section of the website enabling them to access Extracts for Conditions on their phone whilst out and about in the yard.
 Equine Conjunctivitis or inflammation of the Conjunctiva The flies and sun have made an appearance this last few weeks as our Irish summer finally makes an appearance. As a result this filly has developed conjunctivitis with significant inflammation and watering around the eyes. Out with the Zoopharmacognosy kit to see which herbs or essential oils she would select. She was very clear in her choices and selections of herbal extracts and they included the following: Liquorice root herb powder (5:1 concentrate), Cornflower floral water, German Chamomile and Yarrow essential oils (anti inflammatory) and Angelica root essential oil. It cleared up within days. I am so grateful to have these natural remedies, herbs and extracts to hand to help so effectively and easily. Go to our online shop to check out the herbal extracts that were offered and selected:
whitethornherbals.com Please note that Aromatherapy essential oils are not suitable for this type of work. All herbs offered are organic and are not mixed in with feed. |
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Hi! My name is Carly and I head up the Whitethorn Team. I am also a lifelong lover of Dogs and Horses. When my mare was having regular episodes of Colic I looked around for a solution and found Applied Zoopharmacognosy (also called the self-selection method and free choice botanicals). I was so impressed that I trained in this fascinating effective herbal approach and have gone on now to train others. That was over a decade ago and I am now part of the Whitethorn Team and work with horses and dogs all over the world to help them restore emotional and physical health. As part of the support we offer, we also supply herbal remedies at our online shop along with providing workshops and one-to-one mentoring (Onsite & Online) on how to work with them. We truly hope that you enjoy and maybe learn a little from our blog. Carly and the Whitethorn Team, Sligo Ireland Archives
July 2023
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