R. Bras. Zootec.27/fev/2026;55:e20240233.

Biometeorology and Animal Welfare

Aromatherapy as an environmental tool for improving the welfare of horses during the equine-assisted therapy sessions

Tágata Faccenda , Marcos Antonio de Oliveira , Rosangela Poletto

DOI: 10.37496/rbz5520240233

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to assess the effects of pre-exposure to lavender aromatherapy on horse behavior in stalls and during therapy sessions at the Equine Therapy Center of Cavalo Crioulo/IFRS. Eight therapy horses underwent three control (water diffusion) followed by three aromatherapy trials (water + five drops of diffused lavender essential oil for 30 min) in the stalls. Each trial was on a separate day/week over six consecutive weeks. Total time spent (min) and frequency of behavior in the stalls (head in the window, standing by the diffuser, head down, agitated) and then during the 20-minute therapy sessions (balk, bite, lean on the embarkation, quit session, head-butts) were determined. Perception of treatment-blind handlers who prepared and guided the horses during the therapy sessions was assessed with a closed survey after they ceased. Compared with control trials, diffused lavender aromatherapy resulted in horses spending more time with their heads down (21.2±1.3 vs. 26.9±1.4 min, P = 0.004), lower proportion of agitated behavior (12.5% vs. 87.5%, P<0.0001) and fewer visits to the stall’s window (29.2% vs. 65.2%, P = 0.003). The duration of head-butting was half post lavender exposure (0.14 vs. 0.06±0.01 min, P<0.05) and frequency of this behavior and biting the handlers during the sessions were approximately 2.5 times lower post-aromatherapy (P<0.05). According to most handlers (77%), horses were calmer than usual post-aromatherapy with no impediment to horse performance. Horses subjected to lavender essential oil diffused for 30 min before therapy sessions were calmer and easier to handle, suggesting that aromatherapy is a relevant and practical approach to improve horse welfare within animal-assisted therapy settings.