Fireworks can frighten horses and ponies as do bonfires, smoke and sudden loud noises. It is the time of year for Guy Fawkes night celebrations and the Diwali Festival of Lights, or Deepawali, which is traditionally accompanied by colourful lanterns and fireworks. For those us with animals, bonfires and fireworks are a serious cause for concern and at this time of year horses and ponies may benefit from some help to keep calm.
Horses, ponies and pets can all be scared by fireworks
The arrival of the Fifth of November and its accompanying bonfires and pyrotechnics is always a worry for animal owners. Fire, acrid smoke, bangs and bright flashes all cause stress to horses and ponies as well as to other animals. Advice to reduce stress in your horse or pony during the bonfires and fireworks this autumn include:
- Checking with neighbours and local authorities if they are planning fireworks and bonfires
- Maintaining a steady, regular routine for your horse or pony
- Ensuring that wherever you keep your horse is safe from stray fireworks or bonfire embers
- Have your livery yard arrange a rota to keep a watch when bonfires are lit nearby
- Consider leaving the yard lights on overnight
- Keep the number of your vet posted clearly on the stable door
Dr Susanna Ballinger, clinical director at Ballinger Equine comments:
“Every year in late October and early November, vets are inundated with requests for help from worried pet owners and livery yard managers. People want to know what they can do to keep their pets, horses and ponies calm over firework night. The smells and sounds of burning and the bangs and flashes of fireworks, all cause agitation, distress and even fear in animals.”
Don’t wait until it is too late – act now
“If you have a nervous horse and you know there will be fireworks and bonfires close to where your horse is kept, please don’t wait until 5 November. Get in touch with your vet now and discuss the option of a prescribed medicine sedative. This may be administered prior to the onset of the stressor event to sedate your horse and prevent agitated behaviour.”
Keeping your horse or pony relaxed and settled with Ballinger Equine Calm Assist
For those horses and ponies who are easily upset during such periods of stress, a high quality calmer fed in accordance with your vet’s instructions can be invaluable. Ballinger Equine’s own veterinary grade Calm Assist can be purchased without prescription directly from our online shop and is best fed in the days leading up to the anticipated stressful event.
Calm Assist comprises a veterinary formulated combination of magnesium, L-tryptophan and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, designed to be fed as a nutritional adjunct to help maintain normal nervous function in potentially anxious and stress-prone horses and ponies. It may be obtained directly via the Ballinger Equine online shop, through a Ballinger Equine veterinary surgeon or by ‘phoning the Practice office on 01462 414008.
For equestrian sporting competitors, the good news is that the entire Ballinger Equine branded range of supplements is guaranteed free of naturally occurring prohibited substances.
