I have a question about very skittish horses and fireworks. One of our rescues, Chance, an older Paso, panics easily…thunderstorm, loud noises, etc. Last night, the neighbors started shooting the fireworks (until they ran out, then they started shooting rifles into the air…ah, rural Georgia.). Anyway, Chance panicked. He has a high flight response…you can’t stand him still, or even stall him when he gets like that, he will run to and fro, or up and down the fenceline. We’ve found the best method is to walk him in tight circles , so he thinks he’s running away. And it takes him HOURS to calm down. I’m really concerned about the Fourth of July…he gets so worked up I’m worried he might, literally, stroke out. So my question…has anyone used a mild sedation for fireworks or something else that you can plan for? Did it work? Any other suggestions?
You can sedate safely in a stall if needed. Ask your vet what they suggest and amounts. I used to use earplugs and smear vasoline/peppermint oil on their nostril to cover the smoke smell. Plus put some special hay in the stall or special treats.
My pony isn’t bothered by fireworks anymore. I have pretty much desensitized him to just about everything except pigs.
No suggestions on sedatives, but I would mention that in our area, 4th of July fireworks can start a week before and run more than a week after. We don’t do night turnout for weeks at a time. Too risky. Just something to think about when formulating a plan.
Dormosedan gel. You get it from your vet. One tube had enough to dose two nervous horses. Our neighborhood turns into a war zone. I know, I was deployed to a war zone several times. Good thing I don’t have PTSD from it.
Dormosedan gel. You get it from your vet. One tube had enough to dose two nervous horses. Our neighborhood turns into a war zone. I know, I was deployed to a war zone several times.
I doubt that walking him in circles makes him think he’s running away; he is just allowing someone else to be in charge of him when stressed.
I agree that sedation may be necessary, even for some number of days in advance of the 4th. I would talk to the vet about the best type to use for several days. Dormesedan gel works quite well but there could be other options if you know it will be several days.
How often do the neighbors set off fireworks? Realistically it might be better if they do it more often, not less. The horse may get used to it.
How is he turned out alone or with others? I wonder if turn out with a small group that is not scared of fireworks would help? In a small space, not a field - do you have a small paddock or riding area?
Work on desensitizing with him so he learns to calm himself down. You can play anything on you phone, so once he is good with cracking whips and cap guns, use the phone to simulate fireworks.
I’d put Chance on a daily regimen of a good Magnesium supplement for starters. Then, what changed my theatrical ASB
from being a drama king at noises , goats, fireworks etc, is housing him with a quiet or older mare who has seen it all or
is naturally quiet minded. With anything new or frightening he’d look at his room mate and if she was ho-hum, he quieted down. He now stands and watches fireworks displays like a kid, it actually entertaining to watch.
The vet told me to dose 30 mins before it really gets going. I checked on them at 9:00 on the Fourth, just as things were really starting, and our normally calm horses were not happy. They were already sweating a bit. I dosed them, it lasted for several hours, and they were fine the next time I checked. They didn’t act dopey on the dormorsedan. Just more mellow than usual. I wouldn’t ride a horse on it, nor would I ask them to anything outside of their routine, but it allowed me to get some sleep. The only thing I would suggest is to feed them hay early enough. Mine were pretty much done with theirs before dark. I don’t know if it’s a choke hazard, but I would play it safe.
