Neighbours & fireworks - help please

PuzzlePiece

PuzzlePiece

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Just had neighbours light fireworks behind my horses stables. (On housing estate) And lets just say the horses didn't react well. I was clearly in the field with the horses bringing in - making a loud enough noise for them to know I was there and they could see me if they looked over. Didn't even come over and warn me. Luckily I was able to calm the horses down but I'm now worried about the next few weeks.
I'm prepared for the village's bonfire/fireworks next weekend but obviously people are going to be having their own fireworks over the next week or so. I sometimes don't get back from work till 6.30 and there's not always someone else around the check in early evening.
I was thinking about putting a flyer through the letter boxes letting people know how horses can react to fireworks and how dangerous it can be. And if they could text/ring to let me know if they are having fireworks so I can be there to calm the horses down. Anyone got any ideas of how to put this in a letter to non horsey people?
Thanks in advance.
 
I would pay someone to come and bring your horses in before dark if you have a housing estate with fireworks going off behind your field.

I am sorry, but I don't think it is fair to tell people not to set fireworks off in their own gardens because you can't get in from work until 6.30pm. It would not be likely that a whole estate would react well to such a request to text or phone when they plan them either, some people would likely bin the leaflet and set the fireworks off anyway, so the only way to be sure is to have them in.

When I have been in the same situation I had mine in for 2.30pm, so there was no issue, and paid someone to do so if I could not. It is a bind as I keep mine at home, so everything needs more preparation to keep them safe.
 
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Thanks for your reply. Sorry I wasn't very clear. I'm not wanting to stop them setting off fireworks - I understand it's there garden and who doesn't enjoy fireworks. But more to make them aware that it can scare the horses living next door and I'd be grateful if they could let me know when they are planning to set any off.
They are kept at home - can see stables from living room.
 
about time they banned fireworks to displays only, they go on for ages before and after , we lost a foal last year with who twited her gut the weekend after fireworks night when people let of fireworks behind the stables
 
You'll never get universal compliance and risk being labelled a nuisance with flyers... unfair as that is.

Consider ear plugs for the horses to take the edge off it, possibly some calmer? Also maybe consider sending them away for the week next year if the area you're in is particularly built up.
 
If you were near a smaller group of housing, I'd think a well phrased note was a good idea, showing you knew they were fully entitled to enjoy fireworks, but that you would really appreciate knowing when. I don't know how that would work with a bigger area and I'd be worried that there would be at least one idiot who might try to wind them up on purpose.

I don't enjoy fireworks myself and have animals, but it is a perfectly accepted (by the majority), legal thing for people to do, so it's our responsibility to ensure our animals are not upset/ made ill by them.
 
bakewell said:
You'll never get universal compliance and risk being labelled a nuisance with flyers... unfair as that is.

Consider ear plugs for the horses to take the edge off it, possibly some calmer? Also maybe consider sending them away for the week next year if the area you're in is particularly built up.
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^^Very good advice
 
I think theres nothing wrong with posting leaflets through doors - just try to be as polite as possible, as well as being informative!
I think the majority of people are simply ignorant about these things, and it might be a good idea to raise awareness - cats and dogs also suffer so people should be able to relate.

As far as you are aware are your neighbours friendly? The last thing you want is to upset people and cause tension along the line. If they seem like the kind of people who might not take to it very well, it might not be a great idea.

I agree with Red-1 in the sense that it might be best to hire someone or ask friends and family to help out and bring the horses in. Leaflets or not, there will most likely be fireworks that you do not know about and its better to be safe than sorry!

Hope every things okay :)
 
Thanks everyone.
Neighbours seem friendly enough, always come over and say hello when we go out hacking etc. But I haven't lived here that long so don't really know them that well.
I think it is lack of knowledge rather than malicious. Theres about 8-10 houses on estate behind stables so not a huge amount. Been looking at the bhs posters/leaflets so was thinking of maybe printing some of them out. I do understand it'll probably fall on deaf ears but there no harm in trying, right?
 
Absolutely, I would personally give them a knock and give them a leaflet and explain how very grateful you would be if they would let you know if they had any fireworks planned. Non horsey neighbours generally just don't realise the issues and don't do it maliciously (obviously there are some that just don't give a damn). Hope all is ok on the night. x
 
I too wish that fireworks were only allowed on the specific day, Halloween,. bonfire night, new year etc. They have been going off every evening for the past 2 weeks on my estate and the dog just bark and barks.
 
Last weekend there was a huge public display not 20 yards from my ponies' field. They retired to a safe distance (not too far - they weren't that bothered) and calmly watched the lot.

Horses can and do get used to fireworks - usually more quickly when they're out rather than in, and especially in a group with at least one or two older, wiser buddies.
 
The dog is more bothered by fireworks (and she is indoors) than the horses. I went to check on them last week because there was a huge, very noisy display a few fields away. They were not asleep but were very relaxed and surprised to see me. On the past I have stabled them with the top doors shut, lights and radio on, but now I don't bother.
 
Do you think they might even be better off out than in? If they're out and they get a fright, they can do what comes naturally - ie run, then stop. If they're in a stable it's like being trapped for them and they could well panic all the more.

I mean, depends on your circumstances and the individual horses of course, but just thought I'd suggest it.
 
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