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| Stay safe and enjoy Fireworks night! © Copyright Tony Atkin |
Have no fear though, as there are plenty of ways to keep
your favourite four-legged friends safe, warm and relaxed during all the
excitement. To help, the British Horse Society (BHS) offers friendly advice
every year on how to prepare for Guy Fawkes Night, New Year’s eve and any other
occasions that call for beautiful big bang! Here are some top tips to stay safe
this season.
Make yourself aware
Top of the list is ensuring you stay on top of what celebrations
are happening around you. Look in local press, listen to radio announcements,
and if in doubt, ask around your local area about where and when fireworks
displays and bonfires are taking place. With the right information you’ll be
better equipped and better prepared for how best to keep your horses and ponies
comfortable and most importantly, relaxed during this time. Also, be sure to
ask friends, neighbours and local groups about any events happening close by
and inform them there are horses in the area so that any fireworks can be faced
in the opposite direction and bonfires be kept at a safe distance.
Stick to your routine
Horses are very sensitive to changes in their surroundings
so whether you decide to keep your horses outside in the field or house them in
the stable, stick to the most familiar and comfortable setting. If your horses
are usually stabled at night, keep them stabled; if they are usually out in the
field, keep them out in the field, as long as they are in a safe distance of
nearby fireworks. Be sure to check for any dangerous objects or obstacles that
might cause a problem, and that there are no holes in nearby fences, etc. It also
helps to stay with your horses during this time, but if you have plans to get
out and enjoy the festivities for yourself, or are unable to stay nearby for
any other reason, make sure and find a reliable friend or relative who’s aware
of any nearby fireworks to help out instead, and stay in contact throughout the
night.
Stay Calm!
Bonfire night doesn’t have to be a burden for horse lovers;
in fact, if done right, you can have just as much fun, as long as you stay
calm, relaxed and be prepared. As you know, horses can get startled very easily
and will likely pick up if they sense there is any reason to be stressed. The
more confident you are, they more confident they will be and will be much less
likely to get spooked. There are a number of fun and easy ways to help with
this, such as positioning a radio or music player outside the stable to mask
any loud noises – the perfect opportunity to try out your favourite
horse-themed playlists! This can be soothing and will help your horses stay
relaxed.
Always use common
sense
It might sound obvious, but a startled horse can be
dangerous, which is why you must never try to ride your horse or pony during
fireworks night. They can’t help how they react so it’s up to you as a
responsible owner to make sure you stay safe too in order to limit the chances
of something upsetting them and causing an unwanted accident. If there are
events close by, it’s also an idea to find out about any emergency services
that are going to be in the area and if possible, make them aware that there
are horses nearby. It’s also wise to make sure you have suitable third party liability
insurance in the event your horse escapes and causes any damage or distress.
Finally, if you are worried that your horse is likely to get very stressed out
you can also talk to your local vet about sedation.
MOST IMPORTANLY…
TAKE CARE AND HAVE FUN! If you follow these tips, and follow
proper fireworks safety you can make sure that your horses stay safe, relaxed
and comfortable while you and your family enjoy this special time of the year.
Be sure to stay in touch with Tic Tac Equestrian and please feel free to share
your photos, tips and stories from Bonfire Night 2012 on Facebook and Twitter.
Have fun and stay safe!
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