With Bonfire Night approaching, The British Horse Society is advising all horse
owners on how to handle the dangers that can arise.
Fireworks can frighten even the most sensible horse. Therefore, the BHS has
put together a checklist for owners:
· Look at local press and
shops notice boards and listen to the radio to find out where the displays will be in your area.
· Decide whether to stable
your horse or leave it in the field.
· If you know your animal
will be stressed, talk to your vet about sedation or perhaps consider moving your horse for the night.
· It is often best to keep
the horse in its normal routine so as not to stress the horse unnecessarily.
· If stabled, check thoroughly
for anything that could cause potential injury such as protruding nails and string.
· If your horse is to stay
in the field, check that fencing is not broken and that there are no foreign objects lying around.
· Some horses will be soothed
by a radio playing calming music.
· Be aware of your own safety,
a startled horse can be dangerous.
· Check if there will be
a bonfire near your yard. If there is, make sure you have an emergency fire procedure in place. If you have any doubts, talk
to your local fire safety officer.
· Make sure that you have
adequate third party liability insurance. If your horse is frightened and escapes, causing an accident, then you could be
held liable for compensation.
By being proactive in planning for fireworks and bonfire night, you can make
the annual celebrations less stressful for you and your horse.
It is not just horse owners who need to be careful. People organising fireworks
should also inform local horse owners. It is also a good idea not to let fireworks off anywhere near fields or farms.
Most people don't realise how much suffering fireworks cause to animals, particularly
horses. Those who really want to have fireworks in their back garden should think carefully about how it will affect the local
animals before they do so.
For further information, please contact the BHS Safety Department on 01926
707782 or d.Parkinson@bhs.org.uk mailto:d.Parkinson@bhs.org.uk
A leaflet containing information on how to protect cats & dogs and horses
and ponies from the effects of fireworks is also available from The Blue Cross >>>
Find out more about the law relating to fireworks from the
Department of Trade and Industry >>>
