Scent Sensitivity - Hidden Dangers to You and Your Animals

I recently had a well intentioned person apply an artificial fragrance to my temples in a yoga class and this experience finally pushed me to write this blog I've been thinking of for months. I am very sensitive so when I inhaled this scent I was immediately overwhelmed. Within an hour I was extremely uncomfortable, my eyes were watering and I started migraine symptoms. I rushed home, showered and washed my hair. The scent remained. I washed my hair, face and temples another two times, but I could still smell the fragrance. I put my clothes in the washing machine thinking I might be picking up the scent from them, but I could still smell it. I felt sick: nauseous, overwhelmed and developed a full migraine. It took me THREE DAYS to rid myself and my nose of that scent. Now, I am a human, and my olfactory receptors are but a fraction of an animals. It really made me take a moment to think deeper about how animals feel when artificial and unwanted scents are applied to their body and fur. I think we truly underestimate just how awful this experience can be for them in the moment, but also the lasting effects on their bodies and organs.

Scent comes up in communication sessions for animals all the time. Its a daily occurrence. They explain how overwhelming certain scents are, especially aerosols (please NEVER use these inside with an animal), air fresheners, perfumes, cleaning products including laundry soaps and fabric softeners, scented cat litter. They also complain about scents applied to their bodies especially when they go to the groomers and a fragranced shampoo or grooming product is used. Animals HATE artificial fragrances, they find them painfully overwhelming, toxic and harmful.

These products contain toxic chemicals that don't have to be disclosed on the label and fall under 'parfum' or 'fragrance'. Never buy a product with this on the label as you could be bringing a cocktail of toxins into your home and putting your animals, yourself and your family at risk. Some of the toxins contained in products containing 'fragrance' or 'parfum':

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) - cause respiratory distress, headaches, dizziness and long term damage to organs

Pthalates - Endocrine disruptors leading to reproductive and hormonal issues

Formaldehyde - Linked to cancer and causes irritation to respiratory system

Benzene and Toulene - Damage the nervous system and known carcinogens

The worst part is animals are most at risk of injury from these products as they walk on floors that have been cleaned with detergents then lick their paws. Aerosols, air fresheners, scent sticks etc release scent molecules in the air and these settle on your animals fur, then they lick themselves and ingest it. These toxins build up over time and lead to disease. Please do your animals and yourself a favour and get rid of anything in your home that has 'parfum' or 'fragrance' on the label. I find that hot water, vinegar and bicarb are fantastic natural cleaners that are far kinder to your animals' nose and body.

From connecting with animals in communication sessions I have found animals with respiratory issues, allergies, itchy skin, neurological issues, anxiety and epilepsy to be particularly sensitive to artificial fragrances.

All scents are not created equal. Natural scents like clean, pure essential oils do not contain the toxic compounds above. However, you still need to be very careful and considerate in how you use them. Animals must ALWAYS have a choice and freedom to move away with fresh air and good ventilation in any room where there are essential oils. I like to use self selection principles and I would NEVER EVER force a scent on an animal. I am particularly alarmed by pet shampoos and products containing very strong essential oils such as tea tree and eucalyptus as these are forced onto animals and they are not given a choice. In my self selection practice, these oils are NEVER chosen by animals and in case studies I have read they are selected more by herbivores like horses. Do your research and take care. If your animal moves away from a natural scent they have had enough and you should avoid using it around them. Cats, rodents and birds should NEVER have essential oils applied to their skin and feathers and they are particularly sensitive and this can build up in their liver and cause damage.

With that warning in mind, pure essential oils do have their place and can be incredibly helpful for many physical, mental and emotional issues in animals when working respectfully with self selection principles.

Animals are incredibly sensitive to sensory information. They have far more olfactory receptors than us humans and artificial fragrances can therefore be overwhelming and painful to them. Here is a list of olfactory receptors per species:

Humans 5-6 Million

Rabbits 100 Million

Cats 200 Million

Horses 300 Million

Dogs 125-300 Million

If I can have such a strong reaction to scents with my meagre 5-6 million olfactory receptors, I honestly don't know how animals cope. Please consider your animals' wellbeing and comfort and pass on this information to friends and family out of love for the animals.

Photo: Otto finding comfort in smelling Rose Otto pure essential oil

Meditation for peace

I have felt drawn to record and share a simple, guided meditation for peace and love for all of nature. If you are experienced in meditation you can skip straight to the recording.

If you are new to meditation, I'm glad you are here! It is an invaluable practice that helps regulate our nervous systems and brings us into a state of being present. Animals LOVE this energy and you may find that your animals join you to help you in your practice.

I like to view meditation as a way of being, just being present in the moment without hundreds of thoughts swirling through your head. When I first started, I thought I had to sit entirely still with my mind blank, but I found that meditation as a way of being can comprise different things including activities where your mind is less busy. For example the quiet calm that comes with a walk in nature, sitting with your back against a tree, being with your animals, playing music, even washing the dishes (if you don't hate it like I do!). It can be anything that helps you quieten your mind. The more you do it the better you become at it, like working a muscle, it gets stronger with consistency and practice.

If you notice yourself getting distracted, don't beat yourself up and get frustrated, just note it with interest; "oh how interesting I heard the dogs barking, yet I stay present". You just keep drawing yourself back to your breath and the feeling of calm presence.

This meditation will guide you to find your safe space in nature, to ground, clear and protect yourself and then to open your heart to all of nature. Enjoy!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲'𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 🦄

Anyone that has spent time with horses will know and feel that there is something deeply magical about them. This is even more evident when you connect with them heart to heart. As a professional animal communicator, I would love to share their wisdom, common requests as well as some experiences I've had with horses that could make their lives better. Most of these are generalisations, each horse is an individual (as all guardians will know), so please only implement this if it resonates with you and, more importantly, your horse.

Over the years I have had the absolute honour of chatting to 1000s of horses from all over the world both living and passed on 🤍. Each connection has left me more in awe of their beauty, generosity and wisdom.

I once had a horse share deep concern for a new horse opposite him. He gave me the feeling of a blinding headache and said the horse had had a blow to the head. This is why he could not do what was asked of him. There was no evidence of this, but the horse had never come right (there were other issues too) and sadly had to be euthanized 3 years later. When they did an autopsy the guardian specifically asked the vet to please check his head. He had an old fracture to the scull. Sometimes they just can't do what we ask even though they want to and try their best.

𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗰, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀. I have had a mare tell me that she feels for her groom with the heavy chest because he lost a child, she lost one too so she knows his pain.

A stallion feeling alone and isolated because he cannot get to his herd members to help them, especially because the one is ill and he feels her pain.

A gelding who wanted to let his person know that her beloved dog still came with her to the stables, he's just glowing now with light after crossing over.

A horse who shared deep concern for his young rider who was being bullied at school and that everytime she is worried she must just think of him and he will surround her with light to make her brave.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆, 𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁. I have had countless concerns from horses about the pain and imbalances they feel within their person's body. The menstrual pain, broken ribs, sciatica, cancers, blood sugar imbalances, pregnancy. They feel absolutely everything and they care deeply about the people around them and their wellbeing.

Be conscious of how you hold your body when you ride them, when you're in pain, they feel this and will compensate for you.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻'𝘀 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴. They know when their person is worried about their dying father who cannot breathe, they hold this for you and help you carry this pain and sorrow. The broken heart of their person after a break up, they feel this too. The swinging emotions of a guardian who is just trying to keep it together, they hold you in love and compassion. The feeling of being unsure of what decision you need to make about your job, they inspire you by planting ideas in your mind. The awareness of your busy mind, constantly thinking about work and everything you need to do.

Thinking about other things and being preoccupied disconnects you from your horse and from being in the flow with your horse. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗜 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. The most common request is of course about food!

𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲. Before you enter the yard, breathe. Breathe through strong emotions. Breathe when you ride, breathe through fear, breathe to bring softness into your body, breathe to feel more connected in the moment and with their movement. Breathe through anger and let it pass. Root this energy to the ground. Allow your horse to help you.

𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗸𝗿𝗮. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿. 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲.

𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁, what other animal would help humankind throughout history with their incredible strength? They want to please, they want to help and a lot of the time it is to their own detriment. When they refuse to do something it's often because they are physically unable at that moment. 𝗘𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵, 𝗶𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱. It takes incredible athleticism, energy and strength to come up through their backs to produce a frame. Some find this easier than others, some are built in a way that makes it easier for them, some have been carefully built up and conditioned to give them the strength to do it.

I've had many horses share just how painful and difficult it is to try to use their abdominal muscles to lift up their lower back. It's incredibly hard to sustain. They equally find it hard to balance when their necks are forced in. Every horse that has spoken about side reins, chambons and similar gadgets has found them uncomfortable and that they feel tense when moving with them. Many horses request their riders not to use whips or spurs. They hate pressure in their mouths and can feel the tension in their riders hands, elbows, shoulders and body through the reins. I rarely have horses wanting contact. They love feeling free, they love expressing themselves through their beautiful movement and feeling powerful.

Movement is critical, being able to move around freely has such benefits for their body and minds. They hate being cooped up for long periods. Box rest is very hard on them mentally.

It's rare to find a horse that enjoys and is physically capable of doing what a rider wants to, especially in competition. Often they will try and try to their own injury and detriment because they want to please their rider.

They hate going round and round in circles, they easily get bored. They generally appreciate variety and a change of scene.

They become exasperated when they have done something well and are made to do it over and over. I often have complaints that they did the exercise correctly, "why must I do it again, can he not see I did it well". Then I have to explain that we are repeating it so he can build up strength. Please make sure you praise your horse for their efforts and understand this frustration.

𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲, 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗲𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺. Many horses are driven by praise alone. They love it when you 'ooh' and 'aahh' and 'woww' at their beautiful movement. Some competition horses love their work because of the praise they receive from riders, instructors and spectators, please don't underestimate just how important heartfelt gratitude is to your horse.

They know when you are sneaky and give them half a treat. They know when you're hiding something in your pocket. They know when you give a treat to someone else, don't be rude!

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲. They mourn their herdmates deeply when they pass on or leave. They form strong connections with one another. They even mourn the horses they never liked, but losing a best friend can leave them heartbroken for years.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴. You can tap into this by visualising and feeling what you would like them to do. If you focus on what you don't want, you're basically telling them to do the unwanted movement/behaviour. They also read the thoughts and feelings of the instructor, sometimes they pick up on what the instructor is thinking and before they have shared the next instruction your horse has already acted on it. The energy of the instructor is so important. The horse can feel when you are worried, when you feel small, when you feel disempowered. They can equally feel when the instructor believes in and supports you and your horse and you feel inspired.

They feel when their rider is joyful and this makes riding more fun. It's much easier carrying a rider that feels joy when riding than one who is frustrated, angry and too serious. Lighten up for your horse.

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁. I have had countless horses that have crossed over come through in sessions for their guardians and other loved ones with messages of support, love and with the reassurance that they will keep watching over them 🤍🌈

📷 obligatory photo of Jack, my master teacher 🦄💜