We board out, and twice a year (thank you, New Year's and Independence Day) we have issues with fireworks and injury. This past New Years celebration saw my horse with a damaged hock that rapidly got infected, we really thought he could be at the end due to his age. Fortunately, twice daily antibiotics and some really good wound care cleared it up, but not without some ugly scarring.
How can you protect your horse from yahoos with fireworks? My new rule is to close him into his inspected and well-bedded stall overnight. Usually he has free access from inside to outside whenever he likes but that injury January 1 really scared us!
Some friends who board at a different barn patrol their property line to discourage fireworks, with the police on speed-dial since setting them off is illegal here.
I recommend a well-inspected enclosure, plenty of hay, and full water buckets. If your horse is spooky you may want to put cotton wool in the ears to block sound. I don't know about Ace, I think woozy horses can be more of a problem that clear-headed ones!
Get there early and check carefully for new wounds before you turnout, also check turn outs for firework debris!
Happy Fourth!
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