A Horse Is For Life Not Just For Christmas

'A pet is for life, not just for Christmas'

It's an old saying, but at this time of year, it's particularly important to remember. There is nothing quite as special as the first time the horse of your dreams comes into your life, especially on such a special day as Christmas Day itself. But as any horse owner will tell you, the reward of making this special connection comes with a lot of hard work. 

We don't need to tell you that it's worth it, but there is sadly a growing trend for treating animals as if they're disposable gifts, with many new owners who were once enamoured by the idea of spoiling a loved one with a wonderful Christmas gesture soon feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility and maintenance that comes with caring for a new pet, especially a horse. 

The BHS (British Horse Society) is currently trying to raise awareness of the problem, warning against any company that is encouraging people to buy a horse for Christmas.

As the BHS states: Horses need and deserve skilled care from knowledgeable people. In this market, they may be inexpensive to buy, but they can be costly to keep.

The company, Horsemart, recently sent out an email advertising: 'Horses under £500 make great Christmas presents.'

BHS Senior Welfare Executive Lee Hackett said: “We were so disappointed to see such an irresponsible email coming from Horsemart. A horse is for life, not just for Christmas.

Particularly reprehensible is that the horses shown in the email are all young animals designed to pull at the emotions of unsuspecting buyers. These horses would need careful handling from experienced people to develop and prepare for their future. They are most certainly not to be exploited for Christmas.”

The British Horse Society and we here at The Equestrian Blogger encourage anyone with the ability to properly care for a new horse to contact any reputable local Horse Rescue Centre, where you will find plenty of wonderful horses in need of a safe and reliable home. 

Bonfire Night: the Tic Tac guide to happy horses this November 5th

Stay safe and enjoy Fireworks night! © Copyright Tony Atkin

At Tic Tac Equestrian we know that Bonfire Night can be a magical night for everyone involved – the spectacular fireworks displays, roasting hot bonfires, getting wrapped up in your favourite winter woollies, and of course, the sparklers! But for horse owners, the 5^th of November can also be quite testing, and in some cases, very dangerous.

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!