Advice Please! Horse not liking fireworks

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nic83

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Hi, this is the first firework night I have had my boy, and he doesn't like them. I am not there and am very worried. My friend (YO) is there dealing with it and told me not to go back as there wasn't anything else I could do and she was going to hang around up there anyway. (I will be on duty tomorrow night)

He is stabled overnight, as is his usual routine. He started getting a bit upset about 6ish, and was sweating so my friend changed his rug. Went quiet after a bit, and he seemed to settle.

Another round of displays must have kicked off about 8ish, and he's very unhappy again. He is in a stable with partitions between the horses (solid up to about 4ft and then bars if you know what I mean) but we usually have these boarded up as he doesn't get on with his neighbour. He has been that upset that they have taken the partition down so he can see horse next door (hope they can be friendly for one night) and has shut the top door on him.

She has just called again and he has settled after the top door was shut and immediately went for a wee. it has quietened down again so she is hoping main fireworks are over and he will remain settled like this.

I am so worried, I feel so bad, I forgot it was fireworks night as today i left about 4.30 before it started. There have been the odd firework previous nights, and he seemed fine so had no idea he would react like this.

Will he be OK with the top door shut? I am going up very early to check on him and turn out.

Any advice on how I get through tomorrow night?

Thank you for reading and in advance for any advice
 
I wouldnt leave him with the top door shut all night! But sure he'll be fine.

So long as he's not trying to climb the door/could do himself a serious injury, he's just going to have to get over it! Tomorrow, just talk calmly and if shutting the top door works then do it but I wouldnt leave him like that overnight as he then cant see other horses.
 
I would think he will be fine with the top door shut.
He is safe in his stable, and there is not alot more that you can do.
I am feeling exactly the same as you tonight, Donovan has only been with us at the yard for 5 weeks, he came from the welsh mountains so |I doubt he would of seen fireworks before. I have given him plenty of hay tonight and a treat ball, hoping it will keep him occupied.
Try not to worry, i am sure they will be fine. xx
 
I think you have done everything you can for your horse for tonight. A lot of them dont like it and if yours can see the one next door, and that one is calm, then hopefully it will have the same effect on yours. My mare wasnt happy last year as there were some very loud ones set off not so far away from the stables. She sweated up a bit and box walked but settled down when it quietened down. You could try a radio with music to help tomorrow night. I think some people use Sedalin in instances like this but I would have a word with your vet to see what they recommend. Hope hes ok.
 
We had one tonight who I kept an eye on for a bit with someone else who came up to the yard late like me. First sign I heard was endless sloppy poos, poor thing. Put the light on and he was a bit sweated up and breathing heavily and eyes on stalks but not rushing round in distress just obviously very anxious inside. We contacted owner to see if they wanted rugs sorted etc and by the time we left, partly thanks to heavy rain, fireworks had died down a bit and the horse was starting to feel sleepy and breathing back to normal. As owner said to me, there's little one can do really. Try not to worry too much.
 
Thank you, yes he can see the horse next door who is fine.

I was wondering about a sedative, I may call the vet in the morning and get some advice if thats worth pursuing for tomorrow. I feel awful with the top door shut but if its better he can't see all the lights (we are on a hill so can see for miles),but I will be up there at first light as no chance of sleeping.

I never knew owning a horse could be so stressful, I never had this with any of my loans!

thanks for your advice - might try to get an old radio or something for tomorrow as well.
 
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