Guy Fawkes fireworks have cost long-time Wairarapa horse breeder Louise Wilsden a $3000 foal, she says.
Mrs Wilsden and husband Nick have lived for the past 12 years at Rangitumau, northwest of Masterton, where they operate Talisman Farm Sport Horses.
The two had about 15 horses at their property over Guy Fawkes weekend, including two in-foal mares that had become spooked after nightfall on that Saturday when fireworks shot into the sky.
"In the 12 years we've been here we'd not heard so much as a cracker before, but there were some very bright and loud fireworks going off that night - and there had been no warning given," Mrs Wilsden said.
She said the noise and light had distressed one of her in-foal mares, Hooty, which was in a paddock close to their house.