Redwings has produced a ‘Keep Horses in Mind’ template letter for horse owners to use when asking neighbours to consider them while using fireworks this autumn.
The template letter forms part of the charity’s new campaign – launched last week – to better protect horses, ponies, donkeys and mules from the fear, injury, illness and worse that fireworks can cause.
The horse welfare charity, one of the biggest in the UK, is urging people to use low-noise fireworks if they intend to put on a display, which are now more available than ever.
You can find, download, customise and print the letter here.
Every year, Redwings sends letters out to its own neighbours highlighting the dangers of fireworks to horses and asking for information on any displays happening nearby so that staff can be as well prepared as possible.
*VIDEO AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE HERE* Norfolk Operations Manager Talita Arantes said: “At this time of year we deliver letters to our neighbours asking about fireworks displays they may be having or know of in the area.
“Redwings is home to hundreds of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules and we do everything we can to try to ensure they experience as little stress as possible because of fireworks.
“Our staff work around 50 extra hours during this time to make additional checks on the horses. Devastatingly, we have lost three ponies to the effects of fireworks in recent years, our beloved Cinders, Percy and Sprite, despite our best efforts. It is a very anxious time for us, and horse owners everywhere.”
The charity has been campaigning to help people better understand the dangers posed to horses by fireworks for over 10 years. They are co-hosting an MP drop-in event at Westminster next Wednesday (30th October), alongside other members of the Fireworks Working Group, and are urging people to contact their MP to ask them to attend. You can find your MP’s contact details here.
For more information, please visit Redwings fireworks webpage here and follow Redwings’ social media pages.
You may also like
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.