Tragic D?j? Vu Hits Equestrian World As Another Horse Lost to Fireworks Months Before the New Year

For a vast majority of pet owners, any celebration night, be it New Year, bonfire night, Diwali or any other, is a frightening experience as they witness their animals terrified and shaking. As we know, the combination of animals and fireworks don?t mesh together as these creatures get alarmed by the loud sounds and abrupt bursts of light. Recently, a horse lost its life after being frightened by fireworks, which raised awareness among pet owners about the pernicious effects of these celebrations.

In the equestrian world, it’s even more heartbreaking to see these events that have become life-changing experiences for many horse owners who go through all this. They feel compelled to stay with their animals because of the stress their horse may feel. The loud explosions and vibrations from fireworks have a deeply distressing impact on their beloved pets. The equestrian realm is the worst hit of them all and here we uncover a beloved horse who met his untimely demise in a similar manner, much to peoples’ dismay.

Equestrian anguish stirred during fireworks

Julie Doorne of the Firework Campaign proclaims, “People’s lives change due to fireworks.” The campaign says not to cancel Bonfire Night or other celebrations but rather to advocate for stricter regulations on private fireworks. It can still ensue, but in a very guarded and regulated manner. A heartbreaking incident happened to the pet owner named Liberty who recently lost her horse namely Jade, due to fireworks. She said: “Jade taught me everything. My first canter, my first gallop. She gave me the confidence in everything. She knew when I was upset. If she heard me cry, she would stand over me. When I was feeling down, she would nudge me. She knew when I was at my lowest.” The synergy between horse and man is indeed inexplicable, and it’s a shame that their lives are lost in hapless incidents like this.

In a tragic incident, Jade was frightened by a firework in October which caused her to run in fear and sustain injuries on her back legs. Despite Liberty’s efforts to save her, Jade’s injuries were too severe, and she died. Liberty mourned, “My heart is ripped apart. She was my best friend and soulmate. I will never see her again.”

Rosemary had a similar experience when her horse Nala became distressed by the noise and stress of fireworks during the past New Year’s Eve celebrations. Rosemary said: “She barks to the point that one New Year’s Eve I drove out to the middle of the New Forest to get her as far away from the noise as possible.” She took extreme measures to comfort her pet by driving to the peaceful New Forest to escape the cacophony of fireworks. Rosemary’s predicament highlights the tough choices pet owners face during fireworks events. Even in January, one more incident took place which shook the whole equestrian community.

Firework tragedy and animal protection: two peas in a pod

A woman in Bedfordshire, Samantha Parsons, reported that her horse, Murphy died after being severely spooked by “over-the-top” fireworks during New Year’s Eve celebrations “We spent four hours trying to get him up but it was decided, with the care of the vet, he wasn’t going to pull through, so we put him to sleep,” she said. Ms. Parsons emphasized the need for better protection of animals and stricter regulations regarding the use of fireworks near livestock. Existing regulations make it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to domestic animals with potential penalties of fines or imprisonment. A spokeswoman for Central Bedfordshire Council said under the Animal Welfare Act it would be able to investigate cases “where there have been fireworks set off near farmed livestock”. The government stressed the importance of using fireworks responsibly and enforcing existing regulations.

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To ensure a stress-free experience, it’s essential to follow the guidance provided by the British Horse Society. When expecting fireworks, talk to neighbours about setting them away from your animals. Choose a secure location for your horse, check for hazards, and have someone experienced nearby. Consider sedation and soothing music for your horse. Stay calm, avoid riding, plan for nearby bonfires, and ensure proper insurance for safety. Meticulous regulatory frameworks and systems need to be established if we hope to salvage our remaining lifeblood of the equestrian world – the horses themselves. Ultimately, change can be brought about only from the grassroot level to ensure the peaceful existence of horses free from occupational hazards.

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