6 ways to put your Horse First this spooky season!
Fireworks, Frights & Furry Friends, Put Your Horse First This Halloween
Pumpkins, popping fireworks and unexpected bangs can make Halloween and Bonfire Night a little unsettling for our horses.
While we might love the fireworks, fancy dress and Halloween festivities, our horses might not share our enthusiasm! Sudden bangs, flashing lights, unfamiliar sights and changes to their usual routine can all create additional challenges. Horses are naturally alert animals, so a little extra thought and preparation can go a long way towards helping them feel comfortable and settled.
6 ways to put your Horse First this spooky season
1. Plan ahead
Find out when local fireworks displays are taking place and, where possible, avoid turning out or exercising your horse during particularly busy periods. Keep routines as consistent as possible.
2. Create a calm environment
Keep your horse in the environment where they feel most comfortable and secure. Some horses settle better with their familiar field companions, while others prefer the familiarity of their stable. Follow your horse’s usual routine and seek advice if you’re unsure what’s best.
3. Keep them occupied
For stabled horses, forage and safe enrichment can help provide something familiar to focus on. Make sure water is available and check that haynets, toys and other enrichment are suitable for your horse.
4. Stay calm and observant
Your horse will take cues from their surroundings, so keep things as calm and predictable as possible. Check them regularly during fireworks and never put yourself at risk trying to manage a frightened horse. If your horse has a history of severe noise related anxiety, speak to your vet about a suitable management plan.
5. Support them from the inside out
Periods of change or increased stress can affect more than just behaviour. Maintaining a consistent feeding routine and providing appropriate nutritional support can help support your horse’s normal nervous system function, digestive health and overall wellbeing.
Our nutritionists and vets are at hand to help with any nutritional advice, please do get in touch on our friendly helpline to help you answer any questions you may have. Contact us on https://horsefirstdirect.com/pages/contact
6. Turn down the bangs, turn up the calm
A little background music may help create a more familiar, soothing atmosphere during fireworks season. Classic FM’s Pet Classics is an annual programme featuring calming classical music for pets during firework season.
Tune in, keep your horse’s environment as familiar as possible and remember that every horse responds differently to noise. Music should be played at a comfortable volume and introduced thoughtfully, alongside a safe, well planned management routine.
How can we help?
Relax Me provides everyday nutritional support to help maintain normal nervous system function. Combining carefully selected phytonutrients, including lemon balm and astragalus, with magnesium and B vitamins, it supports normal nerve function and responses, while prebiotic and probiotic ingredients help maintain a healthy gut microbial balance. Antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids contribute to a normal response to stimuli.
But when halloween frights and bonfire nights are on the horizon, a little extra preparation can go a long way!
Meet Relax Me NOW a convenient, concentrated approach, just when you need it!
Relax Me NOW is a palatable paste in an easy to use syringe, designed to complement your horse’s usual Relax Me powder. Simply administer as directed two hours before the festivities begin for additional nutritional support to help maintain normal nervous system function during the seasonal festivities
This Halloween, put your Horse First.
