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Discussion on Planning ahead for the 4th of July fireworks
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Member:
twhgait
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Posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 7:50 pm:
Sorry if I put this in the wrong area!
I'm trying to plan ahead....last year my horses ran themselves into the ground due to fireworks going off around our house. A neighbor who is particularly close-by apparently bought out a store and set them all off over two days  My holiday was ruined because I couldn't leave them here running like lunatics. I had to stall two of them and give one ulcer guard, all the while standing in the barn and saying "whoa" in a hushed voice. My grandma mare with DJD ran herself lame. My 10 year old ran herself so hard, the sweat was dripping off her. This year I want to prevent this (and possibly enjoy the fireworks with my family!)
My vet is offering me Ace. I was wondering if any of you have any other suggestions? Leaving them here alone and sedated doesn't comfort me anymore then leaving them run around. I only have one stall now and I can certainly put the biggest freak in it, but the other two mares would still be able to run at will, including Grandma. Any ideas? Have any of you tried any herbal supplements for calming?
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 8:45 pm:
Kim, I know that other members can give you advice on using ace or other calming supplements. I used to have a boarder who participated in mounted shooting and he used ear plugs to protect his horses ears. Also you might see if you can play some sounds of fireworks so the horses can get used to the noise. Start with the sound low and slowly raise the sound to desensitize them. And play some music to cover some of the noise. I would also leave on as much light as possible so that their fireworks are not so bright. Is it possible to find out if they plan to do it again this year? Are they new neighbors? I hope something I said helps, good luck.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - 9:01 pm:
sorry, I'm no help. I used to be afraid our horses would do the same as yours did as our neighbors annually go down and by all the fireworks at the reservation store, or so it seems. To my surprise, they all just stood and looked at the fireworks and seemed to enjoy them. I was also afraid the crop duster, who seems to use our barn as a turning around point,would send them into a panic. He flies by 50 ft. off the ground with nary a blink from them all. However, the man who waves an orange flag to show the duster which way the wind is blowing scares them to death and sends them running in panic!
We have used herbal stuff on the dogs at Fourth of July and it's worked really good.
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Member:
zarr
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Posted on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 5:51 pm:
Kim, what I know is second hand but my friends Appy is blind so it is sound that scares ,but they live close to a racetrack(cars) and Ace does not work so they use a stronger sedative from their vet.Last year tried Cynthia G"s ear plug idea and they seemed to really help! Mine our like Sara's and one would even go lite them if she could. Good Luck Cindy
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Member:
cpacer
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Posted on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 9:18 pm:
Kim, I have the same concerns with my neighbors, and my husband who sets off fireworks whenever it's cocktail hour at our house. My horses aren't home yet, but will be before the 4th. I plan on seeing how they react to some practice blasts. I think my older horse will be fine because we've gone to clinics where they set them off, but the younger one I am a little worried about--he runs through things when he gets scared. Ear plugs and Ace sound like a good idea. I wonder if you have to get them used to the ear plugs first?
Anyone hear about the Rolling Stones concert in Serbia that was to take place right next to a stable housing hundreds of horses? They were planning on drugging them all during the concert, but were just now convinced to change venues.
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 9:41 pm:
KIm & cp, my boarder got his horse used to the ear plugs before going to the event. I don't think that I would set off any fireworks, I would try to find something that I could play to them. And on the 4th I play some music to help cover the noise. Find something that they like, maybe country western or crooner stuff.
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Member:
twhgait
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Posted on Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 11:18 pm:
Excellent ideas! Thank you so much! I like the ear plugs and music. We can practice some fireworks here at home too, but my neighbor has two horses that react the same way as mine so I'd have to give her a heads-up.
Sara, that made me laugh! The things they decide to focus on....
cp, my husband is the same..he was out there lighting fireworks with the neighbors (although he realize exactly how serious I was when I told him that he needed to STOP RIGHT NOW, lol).
I can certainly ask my vet exactly how the Ace will work on them..I *think* if I keep the crazy one tranqed, the other two might stay quiet on their own. Now....where do you get horse ear-plugs???
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 9:33 am:
A large boom box and a recording that repeats over and over the cannon in the 1812 Overture for about 30 minutes that is gradually made louder each day may be just the thing.
DrO
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Member:
twhgait
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Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 10:10 am:
Perfect music DrO! My neighbors are going to think I've lost my marbles 
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2007 - 4:11 pm:
When training hunting dogs not to be gun shy, experts recommend banging pots and pans right at feeding time, starting softly on the first day and increasing volume on subsequent days. Building on DrOs suggestion, play the 1812 Overture at feeding time so the horses learn to associate the loud noises/banging with pleasure.
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