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Discussion on Arabian terrified of fireworks
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New Member:
Herrin
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 - 11:03 am:
I'm not sure this is in the appropriate category, but thought it was a timely question. Last night, the neighbors spent three hours setting off fireworks (about 100 feet away). I have an arabian gelding that I was given last november and he got very worked up about the fireworks - running so much that I thought he might go over/thru the fence. Unfortunately, the neighbor's timing was terrible. As soon as Mac (my arabian) would start to relax, boom, hiss, and pop would start again. Is there a way to accustom him to the noise/sight of fireworks before the 4th of July gets here? I've been working on spook control with other scary objects (slowly and in the round pen with him facing me/relaxing), but not sounds. I might add that he had a severe impaction colic a few months ago and I would rather not have him get upset and colic. He's a very sensitive arabian 
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Member:
Paardex
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 - 12:50 pm:
Sheri,
We stable our horses for the New Years eve fireworks. Just before they start we go to them to feed and put all the lights on and close the doors to shut out as much noise as possible the lights are meant to make the lighteffect of the firework as small as possible. Also I've always taken care to put at least one quiet horse in between the young ones. As they are already munching on their hay as the fireworks start they usually keep calm. The ones getting excited are kept company and talked to until they quiet down. I think the older calm horse keeping them company is the most important measure.Hope this is of some help.
Jos
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 - 1:37 pm:
Hi, My Arab got very sick after wew had some fireworks in our field. We will never do it again. He didn't run a round but was very much "on Alert" and continued to be for a week after. He had a relaspe with ucler type pain.
If you can't take him some where else for the holiday, i would try those new horse ear plugs. I don't remember where i saw them but perhaps someone else does. He will still feel the vibrations but without the noice and if he's in a lit barn maybe he'll feel better.
Would a little bit of Ace help, Dr. O? I've used this with my guy to relax him -a few times (of course never if you plan to ride)Kim
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 - 1:59 pm:
Something must be wrong with our Arabs; when we first moved here I was terrified they would "flip out" with the neighbor's fireworks. I stood out in the barn with them and talked to them "oh wow! isn't it beautiful!" like you would to a child. (just keep your comments about my sanity to yourselves please!) They were a little nervous at first, but settled down and just looked at the fireworks.
Our neighbors, with several teenage boys, go "all out" each July 4th, and our horses now go out into their pens and stand and watch "admiringly."
We also have crop dusters flying low over our fields and barn, which I thought would also "freak out" the horses. They don't even seem to notice. However, the flagger in the neighbor's field waving his little orange flag put everyone into a panic!
I would think a little "horse cocktail" like you give nervous dogs might help. What could she use, Dr. O.?
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New Member:
Herrin
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 - 6:08 pm:
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I will look into the ear plugs too. My horse lives without other horses but has two goats for company. I do not like having a solitary horse, but Mac's owner, a young woman, was killed in an automobile accident in October and her parents were in desperate need of a home for her horse. I'm not set up for two horses, and have boarded some in the past and kept some with my goats. I know it's not an ideal situation, but Mac seems pretty content with me and the goats. He has a run-in shed and I fear locking him in it would make more of a panic. The neighbor kid started in with the fireworks again an hour ago...urghhh. Would I be remiss if I asked them to refrain until the 4th? I've already made plans to move my gelding to a friend's over the July 4th weekend.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 - 6:49 pm:
It never hurts to talk. I would include in Jos suggestions a loud radio tuned to the horses favorite station. Definately ace can be added to the mix and I would not use the small dose. For dosage information and timing see, Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Sedatives & Anesthetics » Acepromazine.
DrO
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005 - 7:33 pm:
Sherri,
I'm glad you have some place for him to go over the 4th. What a pain that your neighbors have a liking for fireworks! My horses d0 great with our kids motorcycles even in the field at the same time as them, they handle my son who likes cap guns but fireworks just put my poor boy over the edge. If he hears them from folks setting them off over the lake (1 mile away) it bothers him. He doesn't mind thunder,too much, though.
I would mention that the fireworks really upset this horse and nicely tell them you understand that on the 4 july they are going to want to set them off and tell them how you have gone out of your way to move your horse since you wouldn't want them not to set them off on the 4th but could they not do it before then?
The cost of fireworks adds up,I bet they won't do it all summer! Who knows maybe your Arab will get desensitized to it!
Good Luck!
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 3:40 pm:
quote It never hurts to talk. I would include in Jos suggestions a loud radio tuned to the horses favorite station. quote.
LOL, That's funny Dr.O. How do you know which station is their favorite?  .
Susan B.}
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Member:
Green007
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 3:56 pm:
Quarter Horses and Paints prefer Country, Andalusions and Lusitanos prefer a slow Tango, Draft horses like Reggae, Warmbloods like Big Band, TBs and Arabs like Classical Music all the way with the occasional Beatles tune thrown in.
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New Member:
Herrin
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 7:32 pm:
Thanks for the light note...I'll have to try some classical music. Country music hasn't made a difference so far Last night, the little bugger with the fireworks set off bottle rockets until way after dark. I was on the verge of going over there when Mac somewhat relaxed. I hope he'll become immune to the sight/sound now.
sheri
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 8:07 pm:
Maybe you and the boy next door could coordinate things and come up with a new version of Clicker Training . . . Yes, the "clicks" would be "Booms," but if you can combine the noise with some kind of pleasureable reward following a simple act of obedience, maybe that would cure your Arabian. ????
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 8:22 pm:
Classical??? it better be the 1812 to cover the sounds of fireworks. My horses colic when they hear rap but put on a little bluegrass or old timey stuff and you better get the clogging boards out and be ready to dance and nobody will notice the occasional boom.
I am working on shooting from horseback (wild turkey around here have really bloomed and it might be a great meal) and I have started by target shooting in their pastures, they really don't pay much attention after the second day.
DrO
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 8:47 pm:
I wonder do they make earphones for Arabs? Maybe get some on those Nature Sounds CD's, ya know like ocean sounds, seagulls and such. (Anything I listen to at night with earphones puts me right to sleep....even when I'm trying to listen.) While you're at it, why not get some hypnosis CD's, and retrain your horse??
(Geez, if I could get that to work, I'd be like a Zillionare twice over)
I colic at the sound of rap too!!
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Member:
Juliem
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 10:54 pm:
Dr. O, I've been told you can easily shoot off any horses back---once! Julie
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jun 23, 2005 - 11:26 pm:
We have been dog sitting for our oldest son's dog (a wolf/shepherd hybred) for the past year. She was terrified of thunder, but has gotten much better since she's been here. We turn up the hard rock music or a "shoot-em up" on tv until she's not sure if it's music or thunder she's hearing. She's gotten to the point where she slept through the last storm without the tv being on very loud at all. Why wouldn't this work for horses? I like Holly's idea, too. Maybe "treats" during the fireworks?
Angie,you just might be onto something. An Ipod or other player has little earbuds. You could slip them inside those earplugs people use when clipping the horse's ears, and attach the ipod or mvp player to the horse's halter or a strap around it's neck and chest.
Some horses do like music. We used to have a horse when I was a girl that seemed to. My dad would wake up in the middle of the night with all the barn lights on and the radio blaring. After firm denials of guilt from everyone, he staked out the barn one night and saw my horse (another Arab) flip the lights on, and turn the dial on the radio. He had to build special boxes around the light switches, and take the knobs off the radio. He seemed to prefer country music.
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New Member:
Herrin
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 8:25 am:
Holly, I have recently started clicker training and am waiting for my book to arrive. The first night of the fireworks, I tried clicking for relaxing (he's already learned the click/treat/target) however, he wouldn't relax or even eat anything because he was so worked up. Then, since I couldn't control the fireworks, I started clicking/treating with handfuls of grass after the "boom." He did at least stand still after that. I'm not sure I want to continue with this though because as soon as I am not out there with him clicking/treating, he becomes a basket case again. I would like for him to learn to deal with it on his own for those times when I'm not out there. So far, this and ear plugs/radio (thanks for the suggestion) have helped the most so until he becomes accustomed to the fireworks, it's probably the route I will take. By the way, he's fine with guns going off...it's the smoke and hissing noise combined with the sparks/noise that send him over the edge
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 8:49 am:
Julie, I have heard this too and it remains uncertain whether the turkey will get shot or if the shooter will be the turkey, good to see you back.
DrO
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Member:
Lhenning
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 9:58 am:
Wild turkey is an awesome meal. Tastes just like chicken, LOL. Truly though, it is very similar to domestic turkey without the meaty dark meat. White meat is the edible part. Soak in a brine of brown sugar, salt, and water overnight, then grill on a slow smolder for 2 - 3 hours. Makes my mouth water just thinking of it.
Linda
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Member:
Green007
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 10:11 am:
All kidding about music aside, I like the idea of either clicker training or just basic desensitization training (which is what clicker training is based on). You will probably have this problem every year, so it would be nice to "bombproof" your horse so that this isn't an issue going forward.
We have a hunting labrador, and a wise dog trainer suggested we start him with airguns and work our way up to shotguns for our dog. We did this, and it worked. Over time, when the guns got louder we started far away and then decreased the distance until he was comfortable that the noises weren't going to hurt him. As an added bonus, he doesn't freak out during thunderstorms like so many dogs do!
It might be a good idea to start with popping noises that are softer, offering praise, rewards or click/treats for the horse standing still. Keep increasing the level of noise until the horse is desensitized.
There is a book out there called "Bombproofing Your Horse" that addresses most everything from water to flags to guns. Think what a better, safer horse you would have if you just took the time!
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Member:
Green007
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 10:17 am:
Here is a link to the book and an excerpt from the book. It was written by a mounted police officer who must need a bombproof horse in their line of work.
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1570762600/ref=pd_sxp_f/104-269826 7-1745548?v=glance&s=books
https://equisearch.com/train/bombproof_051904/
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Member:
Herrin
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 1:07 pm:
Debbie, thanks for the link. I will look at the book. I agree - Taking the time to bombproof a horse is a good idea. I have already made HUGE strides with Mac. He had not been handled and had been neglected for quite some time. By taking my time, I've accustomed him to the hose, fly spray, tarps, flags, and other scary (for him)things. I should have, but didn't anticipate his reaction to fireworks. He had stood in a pasture eating grass to his heart's content and came to me extremely obese for an arabian. I'm going to try and include two photos - one from November when he arrived and one from June. I have cared about him enough to get him on his way to a healthy weight and I care about him enough to take the time it takes to have a safer horse  I appreciate everyone's suggestions for dealing with it in a short period of time!
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Member:
Sunny66
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 1:30 pm:
Beautiful horse Sherri...you've done a great job!
ps...my horse loves Bob Marley )
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Member:
Lilo
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 4:08 pm:
All of my 3 kids have spent some time with the drill riding team "Westernaires" here in Jefferson County, Colorado. When my middle one made the Indian team, the horses had to be de-sensitized to the black-powder guns being discharged all around the arena (by the Cavalry team). Firecrackers were tossed into the arena - however, many a boy rider was tossed in the beginning!!! Eventually all horses got used to the noise and all was fine. Most of these were quarter horses or quarter horse types.
My daughter was in the top girl team, and on the 4th of July they performed their Firelight drill. The scariest part - as soon as the team galloped out of the arena, the fireworks started! My daughters gelding was fine as long as we got the hay bag in front of him in time! The leased mare she rode for the last year almost got away from us once, however. I think so much depends on the horse! They have different temperaments and different timetables for getting used to things.
Lilo
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Member:
Chohler
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 4:22 pm:
DrO I have always loaded up my prospective shooting horse in the trailer and headed out trap shooting or rifle practice. I take care enough to leave them aways back from the range itself, so I don't overload them.
They get used to it, and then I start shooting a cap gun on them, then graduate to a 22 and so on. I also have a tape with the bigger caliber noise on them so I play it around the horses.
My tunes in particular include high power rifles, rutting elk and deer. If I really think I will be successful on my outing I try and put some cotton in the horses ears.
I envy you your prospective dinners.
PS Sheri, really nice horse! My horses have gotten used to the fireworks overtime, I think the neighborhood sets them off for like 2 weeks straight it seems. Now my horses kinda hang out and occasionally you will see them looking up trying to figure out the lights.
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Member:
Hwood
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Posted on Friday, Jun 24, 2005 - 7:43 pm:
Lookin' very good, Sheri. Best wishes on the firework training.
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Member:
Suzeb
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Posted on Saturday, Jun 25, 2005 - 12:31 am:
Hello Sheri,
That is one sweet looking horse. While it is unfortunate that you have somewhat predictable fireworks going off sending this guy into a tizzy, thunderstorms with lightning are not something you can control or talk about except with the Big Man Upstairs. I would keep pursuing the desensitizing training and maybe a little chemical control for some of the rough spots could help. I don't advocate tranquilizers for every little trouble, but it could help prevent injury if your guy is really out of sorts.
Good Luck.
Susan B.
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Member:
Jojo15
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Posted on Sunday, Jun 26, 2005 - 10:55 am:
Over time he will get used to it. It's just like anything else. But i have put cotton earplugs in my girls ears in. We moved from a pasture out in the middle of nowhere to a city that had stables. and of course fireworks a few times a year. It did work. Now that we are back in the country we have the hooligans that set it off anytime of year. And gun fire...Try saddling her and working her when that happens. I found that brandy is a better behaved horse undersaddle. The focus is now on you. I know its kinda stupid to work in the middle of the night, but this might work, too. A horse working, focusing on you, and then seeing you NOT react to the sounds might help. They do look to you for your cues, i think.
Hey, DR. O i got brandy desensitized to gunfire too. I took her camping on a friends farm that has his own firing range. (and game preserve) Its a different ball game when you are on the horse when it goes off. And getting it out of the scabbard was tricky too. To get your balance and try to shoot. But, It only took a weekend to get her used to it. And by sunday i had her standing next to the firing range while all sorts of weapons were being fired.
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Member:
Wabbit09
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Posted on Monday, Jun 27, 2005 - 10:10 pm:
Hi Sheri,
We moved to a new home two years ago and there is a kid's camp behind our house on approximately 300 acres. Every 4th of July they have a big fireworks display and boy did I panic when we first learned of this the first summer we were here. We put cotton in their ears and put their fly bonnets on to keep it in place. Of course put them in their stalls and stayed with them for the hour long show. The thing that seems to work the best is we run our diesel tractor right outside the barn-a sound they are very used to hearing-for the entire time. This really seems to mask a lot of the fireworks and gives them something familiar to concentrate on. The first year I was really nervous and tried not to let it show. The second year we turned on the tractor, forgot about the cotton in their ears and they just munched their hay while we sat and watched the show. They still are not completely calm, but I think each year will get them more accustomed to this noise. We also close the windows and doors enough to block out the lights and leave all the inside barn lights on.
Good luck-hope you can get to enjoy the fireworks after awhile also.
Bunny
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Member:
Cara2
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 29, 2005 - 8:16 am:
I know the feeling. My mare is terrified of fireworks and as a result isn't too fond of anything that bangs or flashes or both - she can spot a camera anywhere and makes a hasty retreat before the photographer has even thought about the light conditions etc. WHere I used to keep her was very close to a housing estate and on New Years Eve and Bonfire Night I used to have to sit with her for hours. Stable lights on, radio on, me stroking her tail. After the first hour of leaping at every sound she would stand rigid in the back corner until it was over (4 or 5 hours quite frequently unfortunately for me). I used to dose her up with Bach's Rescue Remedy and some homeopathic preparations which definitely made the run-up days to the events more bearable for her. I also used to give her a large extra dose of her anti-convulsants (she has epilepsy, luckily not stress-induced)but quite often the bangs started before I could get there to feed her and she would subsequently reject all her food. In the end, I got thoroughly fed up with this going on for weeks at a time and took the difficult decision to move her. As a result I have a 50 mile a day driving habit to see to her and then go to work, plus the reverse in the evenings, but I can now safely leave her when the fireworks are going off as the nearest are half a mile away, and generally it is a much nicer environment for her as she is pretty well retired.
As you can imagine I am very anti-fireworks. What happened to the simple rather quiet ones we had when I was a kid? Modern fireworks are very large bombs. UK teenagers seem to be able to buy them with impunity and cause havoc. Laws have recently been brought in but I still hear plenty going off in the middle of the night.
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Member:
Cmora
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Posted on Friday, Jul 1, 2005 - 2:21 pm:
Dr O,
I went to the posts regarding Ace. Thanks for that suggestion. Pardon my ignorance here but if I opt to give my horses a little Ace the night of July 4th..............is that something I have to give in a shot or can I mix it up with some applejuice and give it like paste wormer? I sure hope it's the latter since I am a whimp about needles.
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Member:
Fpony
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 2, 2005 - 9:18 am:
Cheryl,
I have always used the suringe with a needle on it to draw the Ace then removed the needle and gave the dose orally with the same suringe. It isn't a very big volume of liquid and easy to do this way. Kim
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 2, 2005 - 9:38 am:
We have instructions for oral use in the article at Equine Medications and Nutriceuticals » Sedatives & Anesthetics » Acepromazine.
DrO
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Member:
Trigster
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 3, 2005 - 10:24 pm:
Ace has become my best friend. Putting mine in the barn is not an option - it makes them feel more panicked. I turn them out and keep a good level of Ace in them throughout the night. I make "magic carrots" by making a slit in them and slipping a few pills in there. They work like, well, magic. Good luck. I know what you are going through.
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Member:
Wabbit09
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 12, 2005 - 10:19 am:
Hi Sheri,
I wondered how you and your horses did this past 4th? You had a lot of good advice. Hopefully some of it worked. Let us all know.
Bunny
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