"No doubt some of the adults letting off these things have children who benefit from the therapy offered by our much-loved horses, and from where I'm sitting, cold and anxious in the paddock as I soothe worried horses, it feels a little like the hand that feeds their kids is being bitten."
The same is happening in Central Hawke's Bay, where Waipukurau racehorse trainer Kirsty Lawrence has an addition to her Pukeora stables after rescuing a panicking horse from Waipawa during Guy Fawkes night.
Both are concerned that while fireworks were on sale for just four days, from Monday to Thursday, they can be used at any time, either during an extended fireworks season or by hoarding for use on New Year's Eve or other celebrations.
Racehorse trainer Mrs Lawrence who now has about 25 horses on her property, including two set to race in Hastings tomorrow, said she's not against fireworks but wishes users would take more care in the vicinity of animals.
"The bangs seemed louder this year," she said, "and in between all you could hear was animals, dogs barking, and the horses," she said.
She prefers organised public events, such as the Hawke's Bay Speedway club's annual display at Meeanee tonight.
Emergency services in Hawke's Bay had few problems on Guy Fawkes night but also expect fireworks activity to continue.
