Bonfire weekend, in or out?

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Louby

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Sorry if this has been done before but I really dont know what to do.
The yard Im on isnt remote and houses back on to the front field. Im told they usually leave out in the large back field on Bonfire night as it is the furthest away and surrounded by woodland. My young horse is a bit of a liability atm, seems to be the one who gets injured and with there hardly being any grass left in that field shes been coming in at night. I'd resigned myself to her having to stay out but a couple of other liveries have now said they are keeping theres in, one of the reasons being if one horse is scared, the whole herd are likely to run about.
Ive only had her since April, she came from Ireland and I havent a clue whether the bangs etc will bother her or not, but every yard Ive been on in the past have always kept in on Bonfire night so I really dont know what to do for the best.
Thanks for ny replies.
 
I generally work on the theory of keep them in their regular routine.
I have 2 that live out and will stay out, 1 that comes in overnight and will come in as usual.

On your shoes, as yours has been coming in, will have company in and is prone to being a twonk in field then I'd keep her in
 
Louby said:
Sorry if this has been done before but I really dont know what to do.
The yard Im on isnt remote and houses back on to the front field. Im told they usually leave out in the large back field on Bonfire night as it is the furthest away and surrounded by woodland. My young horse is a bit of a liability atm, seems to be the one who gets injured and with there hardly being any grass left in that field shes been coming in at night. I'd resigned myself to her having to stay out but a couple of other liveries have now said they are keeping theres in, one of the reasons being if one horse is scared, the whole herd are likely to run about.
Ive only had her since April, she came from Ireland and I havent a clue whether the bangs etc will bother her or not, but every yard Ive been on in the past have always kept in on Bonfire night so I really dont know what to do for the best.
Thanks for ny replies.
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Mine will be out but he's older and sensible, and no nearby fireworks.

In your situation as long as there will be some other horses I'd keep in.

We have had local fireworks after dark most nights for about the last ten days.

Do you already have a feel for how much she reacts to them?

If very worried you could stay at yard, with lights on and loud radio to calm?
 
Mine will be out for it. They are mostly turned out 24/7 anyway, the pub next door to us is having a bonfire and fireworks and I would much rather them be able to disperse themselves across the 4 acres than panicking in an enclosed space.
 
Our lot are still out and still down on the hay fields which are the furthest from civilisation and down a bit of a dip so they're fairly sheltered from bangs and lights. One year they were up in the top fields which have incredible views and when I went to check on them, they were standing in a line watching a display about 4 miles away!
 
Thank you, she seems quite level headed tbf, the odd one thats gone off hasnt bothered her up to now. The back field is very big, has mainly hedges for bounderies but its barbed wire where there isnt hedges :( They seem to shelter under big trees where the wire is :( We have a local pub too thats doing a display on Saturday. The general feeling on there is they are better off out but despite this field being about 10 acres, she seems to be able to find anything that will cause her an injury!
 
Our yard will be in with the Radio turned up LOUD!

My lad doesnt give a stuff, he happily stands next to cannon as they are fired but the others are not so good and I'd rather him in where the other horses dont set him off. I'd also rather not risk the bully horse breaking a fence and getting in with mine!
 
Ours are in as usual, we arent in a built up area but do have a local display.

The yard are having a Chinese night so we'll be in the tack room, radio on and i'm considering giving my new pony a calmer as shes a worrier and sweats up so easily!
 
Our yard will be in, but that's their usual routine as I don't think any are out overnight now. There's always people around on the yard until quite late, and YO does night checks every day anyway. Rosie couldn't have cared less, one year I was actually having a lesson whilst the school about a mile up the road was having their display. She carried on as if nothing was different, but made it quite difficult to hear the instructor with all the bangs :D Henry is generally more of a worrier, but he was absolutely fine last year in his stable with a big haynet!
 
Because she is prone to injury I would leave her in especially as the field has barbed wire, me personally wouldn't turn any horse out with barbed wire having nearly lost one due to her getting caught in it, as other horses are staying in I am sure she will be fine maybe go back down later on in the evening to check she is okay, I suppose I am lucky mine stand in the field watching them there not bothered even by the load bangs there used to it because of all the shoots we have round here.
 
annagain said:
Our lot are still out and still down on the hay fields which are the furthest from civilisation and down a bit of a dip so they're fairly sheltered from bangs and lights. One year they were up in the top fields which have incredible views and when I went to check on them, they were standing in a line watching a display about 4 miles away!
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When I first had Nico as a youngster, there was a bonfire/fireworks at the old peoples home, next to the yard, we knew the older horses would be ok, they stood watching, and probably because the rest were not bothered, Nico stood with them. As it was his first bonfire night with us, and he was only 18 months old, we wanted to be around, just in case. Now we know they really are not bothered.
 
Last weekend some idiot let off a few bangers and my mare crashed into the field fence in fright. No harm done (but the skid marks gave me palpitations) but I can't afford for it to happen again so both mine are in Sat / Sun night. I will be stressed all weekend
 
Thanks again for the replies.
I hate barbed wire too :( but sadly yards with winter turnout are few and far between around here and I really need turnout with her being unbacked, so she is suited and booted everyday. The front fields are post and rail but I very much doubt the large back field will be changed anythime soon.
Looking like Im buying a battery operated radio asap :)
 
Louby said:
Thanks again for the replies.
I hate barbed wire too :( but sadly yards with winter turnout are few and far between around here and I really need turnout with her being unbacked, so she is suited and booted everyday. The front fields are post and rail but I very much doubt the large back field will be changed anythime soon.
Looking like Im buying a battery operated radio asap :)
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I understand a lot places do have barbed wire I think as your horse doesn't normally go in that field anyway I wouldn't risk it, she will be safer in invest in a cheap little radio maybe give her a calmer and have a late visit that's all you can do :) bloody fireworks they are a pain so many animals are terrified of them.
 
Ours will stay out as well, they live out 24/7 and wouldn't understand why they're suddenly stabled.

They sort of got used to the idea of fireworks over the past few weeks though as people around us have been having them almost every evening now.

I'm hoping our direct neighbours won't have any and also that there won't be any bonfires nearby that could blow their smoke in our field.

Glad when the weekend is over!
 
I just keep to what they're used to personally. Having tried to protect one horse a few months ago by putting him in the stable (due to big chainsawing machinery along edge of his field) - he tried to jump out (17.1hh WB) and managed to bend the door and wedge his knee in it. I had to have him PTS due to his injuries a week later. They can injure themselves just as easily in the stable if they really freak out. Mine will stay out as they live out 24/7 but I will be checking on them regularly.
 
MagicMelon said:
I just keep to what they're used to personally. Having tried to protect one horse a few months ago by putting him in the stable (due to big chainsawing machinery along edge of his field) - he tried to jump out (17.1hh WB) and managed to bend the door and wedge his knee in it. I had to have him PTS due to his injuries a week later. They can injure themselves just as easily in the stable if they really freak out. Mine will stay out as they live out 24/7 but I will be checking on them regularly.
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OMG that is soooo sad!! hugs
 
Just for your interest the BHS do a leaflet which you can drop through your neighbours door explaining the dangers of fireworks to horses.
http://www.bhs.org.uk/safety-and-accidents/common-incidents/fireworks

Laws relating to Fireworks
Animal Welfare act 2006 to cause any unnecessary suffering to any captive or domestic animal. Fireworks must not be set off near livestock or horses in fields or close to buildings housing livestock. Anyone planning a firework display in a rural area should warn neighbouring farmers in advance
Section 4 of the AWA 2006 says ......
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) an act of his, or a failure of his to act, causes an animal to suffer,
(b) he knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that the act, or failure to act,
would have that effect or be likely to do so,
(c) the animal is a protected animal, and
(d) the suffering is unnecessary.

If the fireworks are near a road you can also contact the Highways division of your council and quote the following Source: Explosives Act 1875 Section 161
Offence: It is an offence for a person, without lawful authority or excuse, to discharge
any firework within 50 feet of the centre of a highway which consists of or
comprises a carriageway.
The offence carries a fine of up to £20,000 and/or a
prison term of up to six months. The Act is enforced by local councils,
animal health officers and the police.
 
Mine will be out, always keep them out as i think they are better of having a canter around if they get spooked than trying to in the stable, realising they can't and potentially ending up in a right state.. however, i guess the same could be said for leaving them out.

Last year, they were across the road from a HUGE firework display - their field was quite high up and the display was at the bottom of the hill, so the fireworks were pretty close to the horses - we went up to check half way through the display and they were all huddled together watching!!! No one was hot, they were just chilling out watching the show (2 youngsters, 1 crazy TB mare, 1 pretty sane irish mare and a shetland).

Yours does sound like it might be best in though!
 
Thanks so much for the replies. Ive bought a battery operated radio today and Im thinking she will probably stay in... Got her in tonight and looks like another minor kick injury! She is well established in the herd, they are a good bunch but she has these blooming twiggy legs that swell at the slightest thing :(
 
My two will be out, we are all very horsey round me so fire works are few and far between. Besides I refuse to stable and muck out so thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it :)
 
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