Fireworks!

I don’t know about your horses, but mine FREAKS OUT every time he hears fireworks go off. It always amazes me because we’ve done some desensitizing training with plastic bags, umbrellas, little things that make noise, etc… and he’s usually great. He’s not a “spooky” horse at all, but every year he completely flips from the moment the first firework is set off until at least 30-45 minutes after the last one finally dies. What is a horse mom to do? He gallops across the pasture like someone is after him and won’t stop unless I go out there and stand next to him, telling him they aren’t going to attack.

So what do you do to cope with this situation? I asked my trainer, who has a few horses that react the same way, and she had one answer for me: mild sedation. Well, I’m not quite ready for that but the concept seemed like a wonderful idea when Dancer was tearing across the pasture! You see, out where we live (in the depths of the countryside) everyone sets off fireworks. So it’s not just an occasional firework going off in the distance. Oh no. If only! Instead, every neighbor shoots off professional grade fireworks displays all vying for the attention and respect of the fellow neighbors who are all competing for the “best in show” title. It’s beautiful to watch, but hard to enjoy when you’re worried about your crazy horse running like mad and dodging various gulleys in the pasture.

My options for next year: cotton balls in the ears, paste calmer from SmartPak or I might just take my trainer up on that mild sedative offer! ha!

Does anyone have suggestions?