How to Make Liniment for a Horse

Working horses need liniment for sore muscles.

Horses, especially when working on the track, in the show arena or the roping ring, can develop sore muscles just like any athlete. Liniment is regularly used to prevent stiffening and soothe aching muscles on active horses. Many commercial liniments are available, but they often contain synthetic compounds that can dull the coat. You can make your own liniment with all natural products that can be just as effective (if not more effective) and healthier.

Things You'll Need

• Wintergreen essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Juniper essential oil
• Ginger essential oil
• Jasmine essential oil
• Epsom salts
• Warm water

Instructions

1. Mix 20 drops of wintergreen, 10 drops of peppermint, 10 drops of juniper, 5 drops of ginger and 2 drops of jasmine essential oils into 1/2 to 1 cup Epsom salts.

2. Disperse the oils well into the salts.

3. Add the salt-oil mixture to a bucket of warm water.

4. Apply it to the horse as a muscle wash.

Tips & Warnings

• Substitute aloe vera gel for the water and Epsom salts to create a gel liniment. Mix the same oils into a base of aloe vera gel and apply to the horse's muscles. You can also substitute lavender or ylang-ylang oil for jasmine oil in either the water or gel liniment recipe.

References

• Experience-Essential-Oils.com: Make Horse Liniment with Essential Oils

Resources

• Race Horse Herbal: Black Mustard Liniment
• Alpha Horse: Types of Horse Liniments and When Each Should Be Used