Fireworks!? :(

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murmoo

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So this is my first year of owning horses and am quite worried about my horseys :( I have a very green,shy 8yo and a 17yo bombproof gelding. Usually our next door neighbours have lots of fireworks and there are lots about in my area does anyone have any tips on anything I could do to help?:confused:
 
At the ages they are, it's more than likely they've come across fireworks before and will be perfectly ok.

It's probably best to keep them to their usual routine. If stabled, it might help to have a radio on, loudly.

If you're worried, a calmer might help.
 
if there stabled dont shut the top doors they are better watching i find mine are generally ok if they can see the big bang i tend to leave the lights on

your younger one may see the other one is fine and nothing to worry about and just carry on eating/ watching or vice versa and find comfort in this

try keep everything normal thou they will probably suprise you and be fine, if not have a calmer on stand by or if they are really agitated and wont settle with your company ask the vet to come and sedate
 
^^This

Ours are used to it all and even the spookies love them, and will follow you round while shooting.

Older one if calm will probably help the other too.
 
We put the radio on and the lights for ours, as we have a huge display just a field away on monday night! Although they don't usually worry too much, the eldest, calmest one isn't keen on the whistling ones but is fine with the big bangs, but the 2yr old shetland who had never seen them before never batted an eyelid at them! even my spooky youngster isn't too worried, so don't panic, i'm sure they'll be fine :)
 
As others have said - try not to worry as they may not be bothered by them - the older one especially should have come across them before so not be too phased, and should act as a calming influence on your younger horse.
Two of ours are ok, I'm very worried about my newest as she was a nervous wreck when they were shooting nearby quite recently so don't think she will react well. We always stick to their usual routine but leave the lights on and a radio on to distract them, and I stay with them which seems to help. I agree with what the others said - they are better when they can see the fireworks, so make sure you leave top doors open if they're stabled.

If you're very concerned it's worth investing in a fast acting calmer (I have!) - I've bought the global herbs Fireworx as I used this last year with my mad loan horse and it made a noticeable difference to her so hoping it will do the same this year, but you can get lots of different types which you can just give them around an hour before it gets dark / the fireworks start. Global herbs calmers seem to work well in my experience, heard good things about nupafeed & magic too - if complete disaster strikes (very unlikely!) your vet can sedate them, but i honestly don't think you'll need to worry too much x
 
We always tend to leave ours out until after bonfire time - more due to the risk of stray fireworks landing on the buildings/straw etc. However, we're not really very close to any houses/estates but some round the afrea do have fireworks every year and the horses just seem to like and stand and watch them.

I have a 26yo who is a bit of a freak and has a very deep ingrained flight response but he couldn't care less about fireworks and he never has. I haven't come across many horses who are that bothered. However, I guess it can depend how close you are to any displays or people's gardens where they may have a home bonfire and fireworks
 
The council display has just started, about 20 metres from a livery field where about 7 horses live. The owners were overuled by the council. Not to mention the fact that the field the bonfire is on was last year designated as a "wild meadow site".

So glad it's wet, cold and miserable.
 
Its about time the UK banned private fireworks and had only organised displays where the council, emergency services and if necessary, a vet, was consulted beforehand
 
The horses i share have a problem with watching them, last year i tried schooling one when they were going off and he kept stopping to watch.
 
I've just left my lad in, with just a big straw bed and his hay. Seems fine, will go and double check him about 10ish, like I always do, and then leave him till morning.

Have got NAF magic syringes in case though!
 
Mine are in tonight but will be out tomorrow night. There is a huge display in our village and despite my two being in their 20's they both freak out big time. I leave them out so they can do whatever need to do out in the field. Still worry like mad about them though. Hate fireworks!
 
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