Horses are sensitive animals with keen senses, including a remarkable sense of smell.
Certain aromas can have a soothing effect, helping them relax during training, travel, or stressful situations. Understanding which scents calm horses can improve their wellbeing and make handling them safer and more enjoyable.
This content is for general information only. Individual horses may respond differently to scents. Always consult a veterinarian or equine behaviour specialist before introducing new aromas.
1. Lavender
The sweet, floral aroma of lavender stands as the gold standard for equine relaxation. Research from the University of Arizona showed horses exposed to lavender oil displayed lower heart rates during typically stressful procedures.
Many riders keep lavender sachets in tack rooms or add a few drops of diluted essential oil to grooming brushes. For nervous travelers, a lavender-infused bandana tied to trailer bars can work wonders.
2. Chamomile
Renowned for centuries as a natural sedative, chamomile works its magic on horses just as effectively as it does in your bedtime tea. The apple-like fragrance signals safety to equine brains.
Stable managers often incorporate dried chamomile into bedding for particularly high-strung horses. During competition season, a chamomile-infused spray on stall walls helps maintain calm before big events.
3. Vanilla
Horses find the warm, sweet scent of vanilla remarkably reassuring. Its similarity to mother’s milk creates positive associations that date back to foalhood memories.
Smart trainers use vanilla extract on their hands before working with skittish youngsters. For show days, a touch of vanilla on the inside of a horse’s nostrils can help them associate new environments with safety and comfort.
4. Sweet Orange
The cheerful scent of sweet orange works differently than other calming aromas – instead of sedating, it lifts spirits and reduces stress through positive emotional responses. Horses respond to its bright, clean fragrance with noticeably improved attitudes.
Many riders use sweet orange oil on cloths wiped over a horse’s coat before trailering. The scent’s mood-elevating properties make it perfect for horses that become depressed rather than anxious during stressful situations.
5. Frankincense
Treasured since biblical times, frankincense resin produces a rich, balsamic aroma that steadies nervous systems and deepens breathing patterns. Horses inhaling this ancient scent often show remarkable focus and presence.
Competitive riders frequently use frankincense diffusers in trailers during long journeys. The resin’s historical use in sacred ceremonies speaks to its powerful ability to create atmospheres of peace – something highly beneficial for sensitive equines.
6. Cedarwood
The familiar scent of cedarwood mimics the forest environments where horses evolved, triggering ancestral memories of safety. Its woody, warm aroma creates invisible boundaries that feel protective to anxious equines.
Cedar chips added sparingly to bedding can transform a stressful stall into a sanctuary. For trail horses spooked by unfamiliar territory, a bandana with cedarwood oil tied to the saddle provides a portable safe space they can carry into uncertain situations.
