Redwings Horse Sanctuary has released footage of two of their rescue ponies reacting to a nearby fireworks display. Those involved in horse care will know how worrying this time of year can be, but Redwings has shared the video to help illustrate the risks to those outside the equestrian world.
The ponies, Dennis, 24, and Merry, 23, are kept by one of the charity’s student vet nurses, Kristi, who acts as their Guardian.
Redwings has shared their story as it campaigns for the Government to reduce the maximum permitted noise level of fireworks from 120 to 90 decibels.
“Dennis has what we believe is osteoarthritis in his fetlock which I manage successfully on a normal day,” said Kristi. “Merry has partial vision having only one eye. Now in their twilight years, they were both rescued by Redwings after being left to fend for themselves as semi-feral youngsters.
“Last year I didn’t know fireworks were going to be let off so close by, so I was glad that this year some advance notice was given.
“Merry is prone to colic when stressed so that was a big concern. He had an episode the weekend before Bonfire Night, which I suspect was caused by fireworks as it also happened last year, and displayed signs of diarrhoea, flank watching and frequent laying down in discomfort, which resulted in an out of hours emergency call out from the vet. Dennis’ issue with his leg was a big concern.
“I am lucky that I have a field, a small turnout pen and a stable available for them. I decided against the field as it has a ditch on one side, and I was worried what might happen if they ran in fright. After considering all the pros and cons, I opted to stable them. I chose to give Dennis and Merry a sedative prescribed by a vet, as many owners are forced to do, to help them to cope with the loud bangs, but despite being medicated, Dennis became so distressed he tried to jump over the stable door!
“I was so worried Dennis would injure himself and make his lameness issue worse that I let them out into the small area in front of their stable, where this was their reaction.
“Even after going to the effort and expense of having a sedation prescribed by my vet and doing everything I could to minimise Dennis and Merry’s anxiety, they were still terrified and charging around in a way that I know isn’t good for either of them.
“Dennis’ lameness has been exacerbated due to the unnecessary running around in panic and has resulted in needing a few days of box rest to settle things down as well as booking a vet appointment as it has still not fully resolved. They were both sweating by the time they had finished.
“I hope this video will show the impact fireworks can have on horses and that anyone considering setting off fireworks, especially near animals, might reconsider.
“It breaks my heart that they are forced to go through this.”
Dennis and Merry’s video is one of many that have been shared with Redwings of animals reacting to fireworks over the weekend.
Vets at the charity’s Hapton HQ in Norfolk dealt with lameness in two of their rescued horses and a case of colic in a donkey at the weekend, which it’s believed may have been linked to fireworks going off nearby.
A horse at Redwings’ Ada Cole in Essex became stressed and sweated up in his stable the previous weekend while on box rest for laminitis.
The UK Government and Parliament petition has now been signed by more than 160,000 people, over 60,000 in the past week. As it has exceeded 100,000 signatures it must now be considered for parliamentary debate.
You can sign the petition here.
