Get ready for fireworks!
I did a little poll the other day on my Instagram and Facebook stories asking how people’s pets responded to the fireworks on 4th of July. The vast majority voted that their pets were nervous and frightened. If you pet is anxious during a thunderstorm, imagine how they feel with the booms and sizzle noises that happen in the days leading up to the 4th and then the big extravaganzas put on in neighbor’s yards, ballparks and downtown centers.
Horses are no different. Here in Kentucky where horses of every breed are bred, raised, trained, raced, shown, and ridden, the number of horses per capita exceeds 320,000 (that’s a 2007 number so the numbers may be different now), for a state our size, that’s a lot of horses in close contact with the celebrations. The biggest concern here is that a horse out of fear runs through a fence and injures itself. I’ve seen first hand horses blindly running through paddocks in the dark as fireworks explode up into the air miles away.
I’ll be honest, for horses, that’s not exactly the time to try to use Jin Shin Jyutsu to calm and settle them. But for dogs and cats it’s a different story. These pets often find a place to hide and cower uncomfortably - in a closet, under the bed, or in my dog’s case, in my upstairs bathtub or down in the basement. Once I learned about Jin Shin Jyutsu, I was able to help prepare my dog so that the noise was not quite as upsetting. I also could help her during the evening so she felt safe and cared for with me rather than alone in the tub.
The Jin Shin Jyutsu centering hold is my go-to for fear of fireworks. It’s actually my go-to for most everything. It helps calm the breathing, relaxing the exhale and inhale that becomes panting when a pet is anxious. It makes the pet feel connected and nurtured because of the hand placements - one at the center chest and one at the back of the shoulders. Let them move as they wish. I like to breath gently and slowly so they can feel the calm inside of me.
There are a few other holds that can be helpful as well. I’ll be doing a demonstration on Instagram Live on Wednesday, June 30th at 1:00pm EST. If you miss it live, you’ll be able to find it on my Instagram @jenniferbradleyjsj. I’ll also be doing the same on my Facebook page, @jenniferbradleyjsj as well. If you can’t tune in, watch later!
You can also download my free Guide to Calming Your Pet’s Anxiety. It works great for fireworks, thunderstorms, and any time your pet becomes anxious. Works for dogs, cats, and horses too! Find it here. Everyone should know how to do this!
Happy 4th to my American readers, and a happy life to everyone!