09 September 2026

Fireworks: Jayne and Lucy

Lucy

Broken jaw, November 2025

The very first loud firework set off close to where 26-year-old Lucy was eating sent her fleeing in panic. She not only choked on her food, requiring an emergency vet visit, but hit her head on a metal gate, causing a nasty wound.

Jayne said: “When the vet took X-rays, they showed that Lucy had sustained a significant fracture to her jaw. We didn’t know if she would require surgery to wire her jaw together, but in view of her age and the complexity of the procedure, we wanted to avoid that if possible.

Lucy was unable to graze, meaning she spent weeks in her stable being fed special soaked horse feed every few hours. Her wound also became infected and needed regular cleaning as well as antibiotic treatment.

Her vet initially said Jayne would need to keep Lucy on soaked feed alone for two months, meaning Jayne put her life on hold to care for her much-loved mare. Regular vet check-ups, X-rays and medication were needed, but, along with the need for a constant supply of special feed, meant Jayne had to take out a loan to help manage the costs.

In the end, it took nearly four months for Lucy to reach a point where she can graze normally and enjoy life more fully again. Her jaw will never fully heal, meaning Jayne can’t offer her apple or carrots as a treat, but she has survived – against the odds.

“I have shed so many tears over what has happened to Lucy and want people to understand the damage and harm fireworks can cause. Just a few minutes of lights and bangs that are soon forgotten left me with a beloved horse in pain, depressed and requiring almost round the clock care for weeks on end, not to mention huge bills.

“I am now terrified of what could happen if fireworks are let off nearby again. I spent New Year’s Eve freezing outside with Lucy to check she was ok. I am absolutely dreading Bonfire Night. Tighter firework regulations can’t come soon enough for us.

Surely no-one can feel loud fireworks are worth the price that Lucy and I paid.”