Fireworks

As a prey species, the horse is pre-programmed to react adversely to any unusual object, noise, or movement, particularly those approaching the animal in an unexpected manner. Moreover, the faster the approach, and the louder the noise, the worse the perceived threat. This effect equally applies to rabbits - another prey species (see the rabbit page for more details).

Effectively, normality is safety. As such, the horse is an ideal candidate for sound desensitization. We ourselves are based close to Manchester airport. The horses here are subject to planes taking off every few minutes, and are no longer bothered by this.

Fireworks are a particular threat to the emotional welfare of the horse, the latest canon-type bangs being both very sudden and exceedingly loud. The consequences of this can be catastrophic - a panicking horse can easily endanger its own life.

For more details of these dangers click here

Whilst the politicians fight over amendments to the law, the problem remains. However, as for our furry friends, desensitization is an option using our Firework Sounds CD.

Our protocol is obviously different to that of the smaller species, and different considerations apply. For example, many horses are stabled with others, and each may have a different threshold to different sounds. This is all fully explained with our CD.

To buy the Fireworks Sounds CD, click here

Fear of Clippers

Every year, thousands of horse owners have difficulty clipping their horses. As soon as the dreaded clippers come out, their normally calm, relaxed companion turns into a fidgety, shivering wreck. In many cases, owners and grooms resort to modifying the clip, twitching the horse, or even having the vet out every few weeks to inject sedatives. All these tactics are undesirable when you consider that the clipping is usually done simply to keep the horse comfortable through the winter months.

So, what's the big problem with clippers?

Clippers make a very distinctive, loud buzzing sound - one that is quite unlike any other and which the horse only ever hears at clipping time. To a prey animal like the horse, normality equals safety. The equine mind is programmed to react quickly to anything 'abnormal' by trying to get away as fast as possible. In the case of clipper noise, this may involve stepping away, head shaking and kicking - actions which are obviously unsafe for both parties when you are in contact with the horse trying to clip it.

If the horse is tied up tightly and unable to follow his instinct to move away from the source of his discomfort, he will become increasingly anxious and distressed.

Considering the intelligence of the horse and his ability to learn, it is not surprising that, after one or two unpleasant experiences, many horses learn to associate the sight and sound of the clippers with discomfort and fear and can easily become sensitised to the sound of clippers - breaking out into a sweat, pacing, kicking, stamping and resisting restraint as soon as they are switched on.

How can you help your horse?

Scientific research has shown that it is actually the noise made by clippers, rather than the sight of the clippers themselves that brings about anxiety and adverse responses in horses.

Horses which have had the opportunity to gradually become accustomed to the sound of clippers running without being distressed will cope far more easily with this noise - a process called desensitisation. This happens in very busy yards, where young horses may be able to become accustomed to the noise made by clippers being used on their stable mates, long before they ever come into contact with the clippers themselves.

For many horse owners who keep their horse at home or on a small yard, this option is not available - especially as we do not all have our own set of clippers. Even if we have our own clippers, the option of leaving them running unused for extended periods of time while the horse becomes used to the noise is not a clever idea : it would quickly cause our expensive piece of equipment to overheat, damaging the blades and burning out the motor.

The Fear of Clippers CD has been developed to overcome this problem. It includes recordings of a range of different types of equine clippers, from large heavy-duty machines to smaller trimmers suited to more detailed work, and can be used as part of a programme to desensitise horse to clipper noise.

Will it work for any horse?

Most people buying the CD will be doing so because they are motivated by having a horse that is already afraid of clippers.

Prevention is better than cure, and the Fear of Clippers CD works best if used with young and inexperienced horses before they ever meet a set of clippers.

It can also, with commitment and patience from the handler, be used to desensitise horses that have already developed clipper anxiety, to improve compliance, make the task of clipping easier on horse and owner and reduce the need for excessive restraint or sedation.

How Does it Work?

The programme is divided into 3 steps:

• Creating a safe, calm working environment
• Playing the CD
• Introducing clippers
• and finally : clipping your horse !

Does it work?

A study in 1999 by M R Gough of Dept of Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Roslin, looked at the use of clipper sounds to desensitise fearful horses.

The conclusion was that sound desensitisation is "a simple, inexpensive procedure which requires little or no time or effort to perform and can be used to modify the behaviour of horses intractable to clipping".

M R Gough, Applied Animal Behaviour Science 63 (1999) 171-175

Buying the CD

Our Clipper Sounds CD comes complete with the full protocol. The cost is £10 plus p & p. Click on the button below to buy the Fear of Clippers CD.

Equine Everyday-Sounds CD

'Equine Everyday-Sounds Therapy' is an innovative idea developed by the Fear of fireworks team to manage the distressing and dangerous problems caused loud and sudden noises.

The CD brings a new tool to the ordinary horse owner, with recordings of the types of noises which may frighten horses - fireworks, clippers, the farrier's furnace, traffic and many others……. giving young or nervous horses a chance to get used to the sounds and learn that there is nothing to fear.

Monty Roberts demo

Equine Sound Therapy was also recently showcased by Kelly Marks and her horse American Pie on the Monty Roberts Intelligent Horsemanship Tour 2004.

Kelly Marks with American Pie

for more details of Kelly Marks and the Monty Roberts tours click here

Fireworks4horses clinics

This year, Equine Sound Therapy is also being demonstrated by Positive Horsemanship trainer, Vanessa Bee in a series of Fireworks4Horses clinics, designed to help owner understand their horse's fears and equip them with the tools they need to help their horse overcome it's problems.

For details of your nearest Fireworks4horses clinic and information about Vanessa Bee click here

Most yards already play the radio for their horses all day, so why not change the tune and allow them to learn about more than the Top 20? At £14.99 the Equine Everyday-Sounds CD provides an affordable and effective alternative.

Until we update our on-line shop, please phone to purchase this CD. Thanks