26 November 2025

Fireworks: Amy and Zuri

Photo of a horse wearing a rug out eating grass (Zuri, left) and their owner Amy (right).

Zuri

Stress-induced colic, November 2025

Amy returned from work on the evening of November 7th to find both her rescued horses dripping in sweat and clearly distressed after a neighbour had let off fireworks just metres from their paddock.

Nine-year-old Zuri went on to develop severe colic, prompting an emergency vet call out and intensive treatment. 

Amy says “Seeing Zuri in such pain; writhing in agony, getting herself stuck against the wall, then just lying motionless as if she’d given up, I honestly thought I was going to lose her. I rescued her and she’s been with me for almost seven years. My horses are my world and that whole weekend was absolutely horrendous.”

“The vets were brilliant and Zuri has recovered, but it left me with a massive vet bill right before Christmas.

“I don’t want to fall out with people and tried to speak politely to my neighbour about what had happened, but she just swore at me and shut the door in my face. Thankfully, after two weeks I received an apology from the person who bought the fireworks, and they have agreed to pay for Zuri’s treatment. I hope that this will help them to think twice before letting off fireworks so close to horses in the future.

Zuri has been with me for seven years after being rescued from going to slaughter as a two-year-old. After having been saved from dying tragically young once, to have nearly lost her so pointlessly and painfully would have been devastating. I hope my awful experience that weekend will help others to realise how much harm fireworks can cause and to understand why so many people want their use to be better regulated.” 

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“Seeing Zuri in such pain; writhing in agony, getting herself stuck against the wall, then just lying motionless as if she’d given up, I honestly thought I was going to lose her."

Amy

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Photo of Zuri suffering colic (left) and the containers from the fireworks used in the display (right)
Watch the video taken by Amy of Zuri while they waited for veterinary help.
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