Fireworks

[thatboythatgirl]

It's not even bonfire night yet and we've had to have vet out this morning

My horse literally was climbing the walls last night; He's attempted to go over the top of the stable door and come back over on top of himself. We couldn't get him to move until he'd had some pain relief as he back legs kept almost buckling. Thankfully everything looks a hell of alot worse than what it actually is. Although I'm still not convinced he's not done something more to his back end but vet reckons it all just swelling/bruising and will go. Chiropractor visit once he's ran his course of pain relief and antibiotics.

I'm glad that he has playground rubber matting on the Base of his stable other wise 700kg going into concrete may have come off some what worse.

[jacksprat]

I hate this time of year, i think it's about time fireworks were banned for public sale, too many stories of terrible injuries to horses this year and we haven't even got to Bonfire Night yet
i hope your horse makes a full recovery

[Dipsy]

Oh no.... I feel for you.

I hate this time of year as well, one my mine reacts badly to fireworks as well, but left with the lights on and radio blasting out (with a bucket load of sedalin) he doesn't freak out as much.

Hope the next few nights go okay for you....

[sarahp]

I lost a foal a few years ago, really mega and noisy display near us in April or so, about 6 weeks before foaling. At least we know they will be around on Bonfire Night. Foal was aborted and dead in the field the next morning.

[thatboythatgirl]

We thought we where ok as we have 2 neighbours and then just fields but still can see the flashes (which winds our one up more than the bang)

[Philippa]

TBTG hope your horse is ok. I hate this time of year. Loads going off round us tonight but fortunately my stables look over 2 fields then the M1, another field then the West Yorkshire Police traffic & mounted division so nothing overly close to them thank goodness.

[gillwales]

For those that do have horses bothered by fireworks, leave on the lights and a radio. Personally I think that fireworks should not be availible to the general public and public displays should have to take their location into consideration to animals, there are plenty of places where they can be held without impacting on the countryside.

[sarahp]

Mine are all out 24/7, and I don't have the boxes to bring them all in anyway, so lights and radio not practical. I think though that if panicked, they are better off in a field where they have room to follow their natural instinct and move in the opposite direction than shut up in a box.

[gillwales]

Nov 5, 2016 9:28:32 GMT sarahp said:

Mine are all out 24/7, and I don't have the boxes to bring them all in anyway, so lights and radio not practical. I think though that if panicked, they are better off in a field where they have room to follow their natural instinct and move in the opposite direction than shut up in a box.

In your case I would put hay in the middle of the field so that if they do spook they are has far from the fences as possible. But it is also a good idea to put reflecting stripes on the rugs so if you go to check them you can see more easily in the dark. I would also have an emergancy kit to hand : wire cutters/ saw depending on what the fence is, a head collar and lead, torch and bandage plus a bottle of water and your mobile with friends and vet phone numbers who can help in an emergancy.

Also if you have friends with ponies in the area get together for support, say there are 3 of you arrange a rota to drive around and check them all, you would each then have one trip to make sure all is well and the ponies would be checked every hour.

[sarahp]

Good advice gillwales, but mine are still eating grass and don't wear rugs! They are at home, currently all near the house, and come to call so easy to check. I don't think they'd go through fences, just have a rush round if they felt the need and settle down again.

[gillwales]

Fingers crossed for your neddies sarahp

[sarahp]

Thank you, I'm sure they'll be fine. Lived here for 35 years and barring the aborted foal they always have been.

[maddie]

Ours are all out except one youngster and our neighbours are having fireworks and there garden backs on to one of our fields . At least they told us so we can keep a close eye and see fireworks for free .

[waspblue]

Definitely thing it's high time fireworks were banned for sale to the general public these days, for many and varied reasons that I am sure we are all well aware of in mostly in agreement about. No common sense these days is what makes fireworks dangerous imho.

Hope everyone and their horses keep safe tonight.

I have just passed a private yard near me that has their bonfire RIGHT behind their stable block which is wooden... as I was saying about common sense, words fail me :/

[sjw87]

If anyone is interested, the below article contains a link to the most recent petition:

metro.co.uk/2016/11/05/thousands-of-people-have-signed-a-petition-to-ban-fireworks-6236389/


Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[bigmama]

Beaters and shooters in the next field the past two Saturday mornings with guns popping has got our two ponies a little used to the bangs .. they seem fine in their indoor stables with radio on and big hay nets to munch on

Keep safe everyone

[sarahp]

We have some going off pretty near to the field where my mares and foals are. I went out about 9, called them and all 8 came up at a run, a bit flighty but fine.

[Philippa]

There has just been a load gone off which sounded like we were in Syria!!!!! Not close to the yard but so so loud an constant for about 10 mins. Good job the police HQ new firing range is nearby, ours are used to the banging and cracking from that.

I think 11pm is a ridiculous time to be letting them off. There should be a curfew.

[lovebird]

Although none close by, fire works were constant from 6pm onwards, I have never known it as bad as last night, even the heavy rain didn't stop them. I have seen on another site, that it's illegal to set fireworks off after 11pm. Mine are all fine thank goodness, & hope that everybody's horses & ponies came through it in scathed. High time fire works were banned.

[baileybob]

The Bonfire night curfew is midnight (along with New Years Eve and Eid I think).

I think it's about time their sale to the general public was banned and only organised displays allowed.

[thatboythatgirl]

Well my horse swelling is out of his back legs; still has swelling on his front leg where he has the deeper wounds but ive just froze half to death stopping him climbing the door again as he's just charging at the stable door in pure fright.

I know not everyone owns horses but surely enough people see the reaction of there dogs/cats to see the effect fireworks have on animals. (I also have a nervous wreck of a dog; who is quivering at the bottom of the bed)

Believe it or not last night was the quietest night of the weekend for fireworks

Thankful can just walk out kitchen door to check them

[2connies]

Agree with lovebird....last night was the worst I can recall for noise.It was like WW3 until about 11pm.

It beggars belief that people will set fire to their hard earned money letting off fireworks ! It's not all for the kids sakes either...fireworks going on so late at night is not for kids' benefit!

Anyway,thankfully most of the pyromaniacs seem to have got it out of their system now as it's been quiet tonight( Sunday).

Brings out the Victor Meldrew in me every year at this time.