Neem oil and its wonderful uses!
Neem oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) most commonly found in India. This tree is a complete treasure cheat of healing the list includes leprosy, malaria, TB, as a contraceptive, skin conditions, hair products, body hygiene, ringworm, herpes, warts, fungal infections, lice, mange, inflammations, fevers, in organic farming it has been used as a pesticide and insecticide.
Neem is a traditional ayurvedic remedy; Indians call the sacred neem tree "the village pharmacy", and have limitless faith in its abilities.
Blend with other base oils when blending neem oil it is recommended to start with just a few drops and increase the amount slowly, to no more than 5% of the total blend. Always buy cold pressed neem oil.
It is defiantly an oil for insect repellent so I suggest you add a small few drops to your homemade fly repellant, also use as a flea repellant and tick repellant.
How to make fly spray for horses:
Instructions
Spray bottles can be purchased in most hardware/ garden centres
Pour 2 cups of vinegar into the bottle, You can use either apple-cider or distilled vinegar I like to use apple cider vinegar as what you put on your skin is absorbed.
Add 1/2 ounce of Neem oil and another essential oil if you wish
Insect-repelling oils include geranium, eucalyptus, lemongrass, orange, cedarwood, citronella, juniper, rosemary, lavender, thyme, garlic, tea tree, peppermint, lemon, pine, and clove.
Replace the nozzle and shake. It makes about 32 ounces of fly spray, which is the typical size of a bottle of commercial fly spray.
Neem oil for thrush
pour and rub the pure cold pressed neem oil into the frog area, the grooves and the central sulcus area daily and then every other day and so on and so on. The central sulcus area starts to widen, the frog expands and starts to look much healthier.
Neem oil for Sweet-itch
Pure cold pressed neem oil is just amazing for soothing bad places where your horse has rubbed, it keeps the midges at bay whilst the bad places heal. It is so safe to use you can put it onto the sore areas, as this will heal and sooth and keep the midges away. I part the mane and pour a few drops onto the skin and massage in. With the tail I rub the oil into the top part and massage well, they love this! Once your horse has healed but is still prone to the midges I recommend applying it every other day as and when you think your horse needs it. In the summer I can go for maybe 3 - 4 days before I have to re-apply the neem oil. Some people believe sweetitch is down to the immune system not working properly, so I also give neem leaf in with their food.
Neem oil for Open Wounds
I have used pure Neem Oil on open wounds with amazing results. Horses hate to have cuts and wounds washed out, so all you need is Neem Oil, as this will clean the infection, keep flies at bay, sooth and heal all at the same time. I have tried this several times now, and Neem is a truly great healer!
Rainscald
If your horse ever gets rainscald, I highly recommend neem oil and neem shampoo, both are amazing at clearing and healing this skin condition.
Mud Fever
When one of my guys had mud fever many years ago I reached straight for the neem oil, this is always my first choice when dealing with my 4 legged friends. I detest all the chemical concoctions on the market, and know they can do more harm than good. I applied the neat neem oil directly onto the bad areas; this gave instant relief to my boy as neem is anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. I applied this daily, eventually going to every other day. After a few days the scabs would start to lift off, and we had beautiful clean flesh underneath. I also fed neem leaf in his feed which gave his immune system a boost. I don’t believe in washing down the legs as personally I think this does more harm.
R.kelly keep it real
Before using neem oil/ leaf internally seek professional advice. if you are concerned about your horses health contact your vet.
Sources
http://www.bitlessandbarefoot.com/neem4horses.php
