Fireworks

[TJ&Ozzie]

Just come back in the house after finally settling my 2 down. Bl***y fireworks! I never know if they are better in or out, I've tried both now and it all has the same effects.

Horrible not knowing what to do for them when they are so frightened.

 

[miller]

Strange- we've got 4 horses, 2 x 2.5 yos, 1 x 6yo, 1x 22yo, 4 cats and a dog and local big house had display like pro display - all watched them contentedly???

 

[perfect11s]

Just come back in the house after finally settling my 2 down. Bl***y fireworks! I never know if they are better in or out, I've tried both now and it all has the same effects.

Horrible not knowing what to do for them when they are so frightened.

Bloody things , mine dont seem too upset and just looks a little puzzled, however friend have dogs that never seem to get used to them , Its fine at nov 5 and now seems to be the thing at new year but we have morons round here that think its fun to let them off at all sorts of weird times so its hard to make plans, personly after seeing the injures and upset animals I hope they get used in a terrorist plot and are then banned for sale to the public...

 

[tallyho!]

Since living in a city where fireworks seem to go off randomly throughout the year, our horses don't seem to care. Infact I watched it with them on bonfire night and they carried on grazing (I just happened to be checking on them late).

I think it's a conditioning thing. If they are only exposed to it once in a while then they'll never get used to it. So, you have to manage them accordingly... or get them used to it somehow.

 

[perfect11s]

Since living in a city where fireworks seem to go off randomly throughout the year, our horses don't seem to care. Infact I watched it with them on bonfire night and they carried on grazing (I just happened to be checking on them late).

I think it's a conditioning thing. If they are only exposed to it once in a while then they'll never get used to it. So, you have to manage them accordingly... or get them used to it somehow.

Yes I guess this is the most likely answer, horses seem to get used to them but not some dogs..

 

[tallyho!]

Yes I guess this is the most likely answer, horses seem to get used to them but not some dogs..

Yes I have found this. My dad's dogs doesn't give two hoots, mind you they do go out shooting. OH's dad's dogs are very different, one doesn't care, the youngster wets himself. Uncles dogs, both are fine.

My cat used to "disappear" when fireworks around... who knows where to but you couldn't find her...

 

[Gilbey]

Quite agree they are a pain in the backside, but we are stuck with them. Our five horses all seem to like watching them from their stables although one was asleep last night when they were whizzing overhead lol Our dog is a different question as she is petrified of any loud bangs... would never have made a gun dog or cowboys pet!! But she has found if she squeezes her rather copious self under my bed she is safe and there she stays until morning lol!!
Happy New Year to you All my friends!

 

[Supertrooper]

Our horses are never bothered but as we have alot of bird scarers going off all year I think they're pretty immune to bangs! Also they're stabled next to a agricultural building manufacturer and the bangs that come out of there have made them noise proof!!

Personally I always think they're safer out as their natural instinct is to move/run if frightened.

I HATE the things, wish they'd be banned for public sale.

 

[tallyho!]

I dunno... I like fireworks... I have signed a petition to ban those awful chinese lanterns though!!!!

 

[cassie summers]

my poor mare must have crapped herself last night as the fireworks were very loud and when i went to yard this morning at 6 before i came to work she was really sweaty under her rug and her stable was trashed she is such a funny horse spooky about noises my old horse didnt give a hoot he would stand and watch them

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

One of my dogs is noise sensitive but he's deaf now So he doesn't care lol

We used to dish out lots of sedatives in the surgery for dogs but our main advice now is ignore the dog, if you go and cuddle it and reassure it everytime there is a bang it reinforces they have something to panic about, if you carry on about your business and don't even look at them when they are having a panic, alot of clients have had really good results! Of course it's alot easier said then done when you have a dog wrapped around your legs peeing itself!

 

[Supertrooper]

DD - we still dispense Xanax for firework phobias but we also advise owners to start de-sensitising well before the next known firework event. Also feeding a meal high in carbohydrates works well with some dogs.

My dog was always better if we cuddled her but then she was that far gone with noise phobias we just did what we felt was right! Typical messed up VN's dog ;-)

 

[mik]

My lad was fine last night, he was wandering in and out his stable, munching, and looking, He had had a b-calm though. He was fine until a few years back when the neighbours in front virtually fired them into his stable. You never know what other people will do here.
We also have a lot of shooting here and he rarely moves, maybe a little jump the at the first bang of the day. They are big shotguns here. But we have had problems with the shot falling over the house, stables and trees, and this freaked him out poor thing. So he is generally a bit more cautious with bangs.
Anyway, neighbours behaved, no throwing of crackers by kids, so not a bad night.
What a relief really!

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

DD - we still dispense Xanax for firework phobias but we also advise owners to start de-sensitising well before the next known firework event. Also feeding a meal high in carbohydrates works well with some dogs.

My dog was always better if we cuddled her but then she was that far gone with noise phobias we just did what we felt was right! Typical messed up VN's dog ;-)

HAHA yeah I have discovered I can't give one of mine a tablet now he snaps his teeth shut on my fingers or vomits pill back up, I never had any sympathy for clilents saying the couldn't give dogs pills, ohhh I do now!! lol

We have a CD we can dish out to people that plays fireworks sounds I believe for desensitisation.... hadn't heard about the high carbs thing, do they feel so bloated they just lie down and sleep like a bear? lol X

 

[Supertrooper]

That's the theory, we suggest a meal high in pasta approx two hours before it gets dark or time of event if you know it. Makes them sleepy and if you combine it with making room dark, putting radio etc it can help the more mildly phobic ones.

That's funny about your dog, why are ours so badly behaved? A client said to me once, I bet you're ever so strict with your dog, um no!!! she slept in the bed under the duvet ;-)

 

[milesjess]

I totally forgot about them and left my boy out last night!!! I didn't settle very well and felt rather guilty but he's not on his own and I'd imagine the other horses are used to them so had a calming influence on him... I hope!

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

That's the theory, we suggest a meal high in pasta approx two hours before it gets dark or time of event if you know it. Makes them sleepy and if you combine it with making room dark, putting radio etc it can help the more mildly phobic ones.

That's funny about your dog, why are ours so badly behaved? A client said to me once, I bet you're ever so strict with your dog, um no!!! she slept in the bed under the duvet ;-)

Lol Mine have been in the cold kitchen all their lives, now Rip is 16 and Scrap 13... they sleep in my room because Rip will bark all night cos hes cold, so easier to let them have their own way sniggers!!

He's always been good to give pills to, other than he can vomit it back up, but hes had a bout of gingivitis and he won't let me scale his teeth, got into a right panic over his gums and mouth and now can't go near his gob without him locking his teeth shut and he doesn't care if your fingers are there, managed to sprinkle antirobe on his food lol felt pathetic! I always thought it was possible to give any nice natured dog a tablet and thought the owners were wussy!! Ohhhhh how wrong was I!! XX

 

[Mare Stare]

I totally forgot about them and left my boy out last night!!! I didn't settle very well and felt rather guilty but he's not on his own and I'd imagine the other horses are used to them so had a calming influence on him... I hope!

I think they are better out than in. At least they can run away from the noise to the furthest side of the field.

Some very loud fireworks here last night. Must have been illegal display ones because they were that noisy. One day I will be setting one off at 3am and wake the neighbourhood up just to reek my revenge. Bwahahahaha!

 

[mole]

my pony doesnt bother with fireworks and her stable was tidier this morn than it normally - maybe it calms her down?!

dog on the other hand hates them and dont think he'll ever like them

 

[starryeyed]

For some reason we didn't have any near us last night, which was a nice surprise! Despite being surrounded by loads of shooting & bird scarers, fireworks really frighten our lot so the 2 worst ones get instant calmers and they're put to bed early with a big tea & the radio on. So last night they were extra chilled!

 

[JFTDWS]

Strange- we've got 4 horses, 2 x 2.5 yos, 1 x 6yo, 1x 22yo, 4 cats and a dog and local big house had display like pro display - all watched them contentedly???

Me too. All mine - included the youngsters when they've come down from the middle of nowhere in the highlands - have adapted and never made any fuss, whether in or out. Funnily, ime, it's the owners who fuss around at fireworks night whose horses seem to get worked up over them

 

[DW Team]

I wish they were only allowed to be held by licensed people at public displays only. As right now were are praying for my 18 year old nephew who is lying in St Thomas's hospital after some b****y OAP deliberately fired at point blank range a firework at him last night while he was watching the South Bank fireworks. His friends helped by restraining the OAP until the police and emergency services arrived. He has undergone one lots of surgery and is waiting today for more. Not sure yet if it is going to need skin grafts but the wound is to the bone according to his father.

 

[Supertrooper]

dwteam - hope you're nephew is ok xx

 

[HollyB66]

dwteam - unbelievable, you hope that as idiots get older they get more sensible! Clearly not!

Thoughts are with your poor nephew, I hope he heals fast and pain free

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I wish they were only allowed to be held by licensed people at public displays only. As right now were are praying for my 18 year old nephew who is lying in St Thomas's hospital after some b****y OAP deliberately fired at point blank range a firework at him last night while he was watching the South Bank fireworks. His friends helped by restraining the OAP until the police and emergency services arrived. He has undergone one lots of surgery and is waiting today for more. Not sure yet if it is going to need skin grafts but the wound is to the bone according to his father.

Absolutely unbelievable behaviour!

I do hope that the police are going to/have charged the OAP.
Although not that unbelievable after all, our elderly neighbour had some fireworks which screamed for about 30 mins last night, on and on and on. Our horses are coming in at night because the land is so wet, the 'bombproof' draft horse, was in a terrible state - we were lucky she didn't colic. She's the 1st we've had who is frightened, the others have all enjoyed watching the displays.

OP I do hope your nephew makes a good recovery.

 

[DW Team]

Thank you for your kind wishes somewhat in shock about the whole thing. My brother said the phone call one all dreads in the midle of the night from the police. I am waiting for a call from him later on once nephew is out of surgery.

 

[Jackson]

I'm sorry to hear that Dwteam I wish your nephew good luck with his sugery, that really is unbelievable

Jack came in lame today, likely caused by him bombing himself around his field when his neighbours let them off. He's usually fine with them but these were a bit closer to him I guess

I agree fireworks should be licenced or something, it is effectively letting random members of the public loose with explosives which probably isn't the best of plans, when you consider what sort of people are out and about

 

[tazzle]

dwteam............ I hope your nephew recovers well and that the person who caused this to happen is appropriately dealt with. I am quite a submissive person but I remember as a teen taking on a gang member who I saw put a firework in the hood of another child. I was so inscenced I did not even consider the possible repercussions It is isiots like this that should reinforce to the lawmakers that they are dangerous and should be restricted ( and not just to under 18's !!!!!!!!!)

I was a nurse in a burns unit so I know the damage these things cause only too well and wish they were limited to displays where the risk is miminised.

I watched the display on TV last night, more by accident than design, and I must admit although I thought it was pretty I found myself thinking about the effects it was having especially for patients in St Thomas hospital which is right there.

 

[DW Team]

Quick update from my brother for all those who kindly wished my nephew well. He is very lucky wearing all natural fibres. Went through thick wool overcoat, wool jumper, thick cotton T shirt has hole in top of left arm 4 cm x 3cm and 2 cm deep. If it had been 10/15cm higher he would have taken full in the face. He is deaf in left ear at the moment but ENT man says it should return. Operation yesterday to clean up. Should have skin graft tomorrow so long as there is no infection.mercifully seems to have no muscle or nerve damage. One very lucky young man police have released man but are looking for CCTV images.

 

[mirage]

The idiots in the field next to us lit a huge bonfire on Boxing Day and just as I was putting knobberpony's rug on,they threw something on it which expolded.I was furious as they knew I was in there with my little girl and could see what I was doing.It is a miracle no one got kicked-the poor thing bolted off round the field with her rug half off.They then set off fireworks,really loud ones,whilst I frantically tried to catch her and get her rug off before she got her legs caught in it.The fire was dangerously close to the sheds where my neighbour keeps his hay and straw and he also has some calves in there which were terrified too.All the neighbours were out to see what was going on and have complained to the landlord.

We've never had a problem like this before-the idiots are tenants and have come from the town so probably think its alright to set huge bonfire next to buildings and livestock.If they'd just warned me,I could have moved poor knobberpony to a field further away.She is used to the local shoot,but these explosions were so loud,even my daughter was scared.