Years ago I had heard of Rescue Remedy and the Bach Flower Essences. I had never had a reason to use them or investigate them further, until I had horses. A holistic vet told me that flower essences can be useful with emotional issues in animals. At the time they were completely outside my experience, and a little too “woo-woo” for me. Emotional issues and animals? Well, okay, but I kept the idea on my back burner for future reference. When it came to the well-being of my horses I would consider it when the time arose.
When my horse’s pasture mate died of colic, that time came up. My horse’s demeanor was visibly different for days. He just stood in the corner of the field away from the other horses with a low head and sad look in his eyes. He looked depressed, and there really wasn’t anything I could do to fix the situation and bring his horse friend back. Then I remembered, “Flower essences!” Maybe they could help.
I pulled out my animal wellness collection of 23 different blends of flower essences. (Yes, they were a little woo-woo, but if my horse indicated he wanted them then who was I to argue)? I chose a couple of different blends like “grief and loss” and “transitions”. I put them in my pocket, and then went out to see my horse.
Without me looking at the labels, I let him sniff each one. On some he turned his head away. I took that as a “no”. On others he tried to nip them out of my hands. “Okay,” I thought, “I guess you want those.” I placed a single drop on my fingertips and touched the tips of his ears with it. Then he did something he’s never done before, or since: He licked it off my fingertips.
Twice that week he wanted the flower essences I offered. Then on the third day, he no longer wanted them.
While I don’t fully understand flower essences, I do trust my horse’s instincts, and I’m more than happy to let him tell me what he wants. The bonus for me is that I get a little glimpse into his world of being a horse, and I come to understand him that much more.
