Follow these top tips to help take the stress out of bonfire night:
1. Use a calmer supplement, see our
section on the next page to help
you choose the right supplement
for your horse.
2. Rug your horse with a rug that will
wick sweat away, but keep them
warm, such as a fleece.
3. Give your horse plenty of hay to
keep him occupied.
4. Giving your horse a treat lick such
as Nettex Tastylyx (pictured) which
can be hung in the stable will keep
them interested and take their
mind off noises outside. Nettex
Tastylyx come in three delicious
natural flavours; apple, carrot and
mint.
5. Leave a radio on playing music to
help mask the noise and keep your
horse calm. Getting your horse
used to a radio before will really
help!
horse or checks on them frequently
during the evening. Make sure that
emergency contact details are to
hand.
8. It is important to stay calm yourself
as horses will sense unease and this
will make them more stressed.
9. Most importantly be aware of your
own safety, a startled horse can be
dangerous.
10. Likewise, make sure that you
have adequate third party liability
insurance, if your horse is scared
and escapes causing an accident,
you will be responsible for any
compensation.
6. If you are concerned that your
horse may have an extreme reaction
11. Check fields the following morning
discuss this with your vet before
for any stray fireworks that may
the night as oral sedation might
have landed there, as they have the
be appropriate or consider moving
potential to cause injury to your
your horse for the night.
horse.
7. Make sure that someone
experienced either stays with your
Deciding what’s best ...
Some may be happier in the field
as they can see what’s going on,
however this can make others even
more stressed.
October 2015 • Issue 25 • Everything Horse Magazine
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