🌿 The Botanical Pathway

Practical, seasonal, and evidence-led herbalism for animals and the humans who care for them. Innate Selection, Zoopharmacognosy, Westen Herbalism, Seasonality.

Whether you're exploring herbs for the first time or stepping into practitioner training, this pathway offers layered entry points that honour both depth and accessibility.

An Interconnected Approach to Herbalism

At the heart of this pathway lies a clear ethos: that plants and animals exist in an intricate, seasonally responsive relationship with each other—and when we listen, observe, and offer herbs in a way that honours this natural rhythm, the results are not only profound but repeatable. This isn’t just about giving herbs; it’s about learning when, why, and how to offer them in a way that supports physiological systems, behavioural patterns, and innate animal intelligence.

You’ll find your entry point here—whether that’s hands-in-the-hedgerow exploration or formal practitioner training.

Choose Your Starting Point

New to this work or looking for a quick route in?

Start with the 4 Days to Forage Free Challenge

A seasonal exploration with our Herbal Shenanigans community. Discover herbs you can find, offer, and observe with your animal. Learn to spot detoxification allies, offer herbal tastings, and begin understanding seasonal needs.

You can watch the FREE recorded version or sign up to the next seaonal lives (£5)

Click here for more info.>>>

Want to deepen your skills without committing to practitioner status?

Join Herbal Shenanigans

A vibrant forage, herbalism and zoophama based membership & training all in one. Designed for owners and those who want regular, practical herbal wisdom with full support. This is for owners looking to support their animals naturally with botanicals. And for Practitioners looking to gain professional development. Up to 100 hrs annually!

Click here for more info.>>>

Ready to turn your dreams of working with animals & herbal into a reality?

Join Innate Botanical Selections: Choose between

Foundation – Self-led. Covers methodology, practical application, and scientific background.
Diploma (Level 4) – Mentored, immersive training starting each January. Explore innate selection, body systems, seasonality, foraging, and energetic herbalism.

Accredited by UK Rural Skills

Professional Pathway.>>>

Joining Animal Botanicals amazing Diploma programme in Innate Botanical Selections has brought so much enrichment to both my animals and myself. My connection to herbs is deepening, where knowledge changes to a relationship and awareness of our interconnection. It is fascinating and humbling to witness the intelligence of horses and dogs seeking what they need and learning to trust this. I also love exploring the difference in expression, whether herbs are sought in the fresh or dried form, as a cut herb or powder, an essential oil or hydrosol – a whole new world of possibilities of interaction. I have learnt so much about how my horses process too. As an Ayurvedic practitioner I love how we follow the rhythm of the seasons, seeing what is needed now and what will support for the future as the foundation of well-being and interrelatedness for us all.

Laura Shakeshaft

"I needed to have a slight change in direction and I found Animal Botanical. Well, what can I say, my life has gone on a journey I never imagined! Rachael awakened my love of plants and growing herbs. I have always loved growing things but rather without purpose or focus, not so now!

I think the biggest win from starting Innate Botanical Selections has been for Bund my older dog. Bund was struggling with pain and I decided to go down the heavy duty pain killer route.... but by going out and learning to forage for various herbs, to help mitigate the side effects, Bund and I have learned a way to make his life the very best possible, he still walks 5+ miles a day and does his conditioning.

A huge side effect of establishing a stable gut flora is where he used to be a huge herbivore poo eater he now ignores it all result! I can no longer sit down for a herbal mug of tea, without him joining in and trying to get to the stew at the bottom. It is so nice to see him being so cheeky!".

Sue Julian

Specialised Short Courses & Herbal Toolkits

While these offerings are short trainings and courses, they respond to common seasonal and behavioural challenges faced by animals—and offer immediate, practical support to those wishing to walk the Botanical Path. All come with additional continuing professional development for those in the botanical professions.

Fireworks & Fear

In this practical, supportive 3 step plan, you’ll discover how to use the right botanicals to ease stress and fear — helping your animals feel safe, settled, and seen.

You'll learn:
✔️ Which herbs to use and why they work
✔️ How to prepare before fireworks begin
✔️ What to offer on the night itself
✔️ How to support the nervous system and aid recovery in the days that follow

We explore herbs that calm adrenaline, lower cortisol, support the adrenals, and gently guide stress out of the body — all while working in harmony with your animal’s behaviour and innate needs.

Learn more >>>

Natural Herbal Solutions for Fleas, Ticks, Mites & Parasites

In this practical, hands-on training, you’ll discover how to create effective herbal products — helping your animals stay protected, supported, and well.

You'll learn:
✔️ How to make 10 targeted herbal products
✔️ Safe, natural strategies for animal & home
✔️ Supportive care for Lyme and other infections
✔️ Ways to aid detox, immunity, and skin health

We explore herbs that deter and irradicate pests, soothe irritation, build resilience, and support the body's natural defences — all while working in sync with your animal’s needs and the seasons.

Learn more >>>

Julie Stewart

Absolutely fab training sign up you don’t regret it. Rachael goes above and beyond to make sure the training covers all your needs. Best course I’ve undertaken.

Anon

This course is the best! I love the way it runs, the information we are learning and the friends we have made. It's helped with my mental health, well being and how to embrace a bit of self care. All with Mother Nature herself and our beautiful animals.

Lisa Shoesmith

I really do love being part of Herbal Shenanigans, I do love sharing my positive moments, everyone here understands them in a way that a lot of the horse world doesn’t.

Dana Kazinski

I truly am beyond excited and cannot thank you enough, for your wonderful way of teaching, your energy, kindness, wisdom and encouragement.

Vicki Thompson

Thanks so much.. Really enjoyed the course, you are a total inspiration!!

Thanks so much for everything. I can honestly say that you're an inspiration & that the courses that I've been on are amazing. They're really well thought through & full of lots of valuable information. Thanks so much xx

Sue Falber

WOW what an amazing herb which in a previous life I discarded as an insignificant weed that grew on the dried out mud patch of the gateway - invisible indeed as ignorance caused me to think of it as totally insignificant. Excellent presentation once again.

Louise

Thank you for the amazingly selected Herbal box this Summer season

The herbs are just fantastic and I’ve been in my absolute element displaying, offering and enjoying self selection with Callie and trying the teas.

Emma

Thank you so much last nights tasting and meditation. As my first one I really enjoyed the whole experience.

The meditation really helped calm my mind and I felt very connected to the white horse. I didn’t really have anything come to me in terms of colour but I had a constant feeling of joy and happiness throughout

It was a great experience and really opened up my mind to how herbs affect us and im really thankful for that, can’t wait for the next one.

Auriol

Yay!!! Thank you Rachael! I love it when the box arrives!!!

Kirstey

Shilo's arthritis rub has been marvelous - not only has it helped him - but it works a treat on my restless legs at night, and my mum's back pain!! I'm running low so I need to make some more asap! Iit!!