EVERY year horses die as a consequence of fireworks.

Last year my horse died, probably because she had been trying to run from fireworks, and was caught in an electric fence.

She was a very beautiful black thoroughbred mare, particularly known for her kind nature. She must have spent the whole night struggling to escape the fence, which was only needed because another escapist horse shared the field.

Many people fear horses and see them as aggressive because of the way they are used in hunts, war, etc, but, unless they have been maltreated or overfed with titbits, they are in fact very friendly.

They are not predators but defensive creatures of flight. They are bigger than us and yet let us do awful things like putting bits in their mouths and saddles on their backs.

A lot of people, though, really appreciate seeing horses in and around town and many feel that their presence is therapeutic.

But Firework Night is approaching.

I am a great fan of firework displays but don’t really feel the need for the noise that many seem to feel is all part of the experience.

I’d like to ask people to consider all the animals, wild and domestic, that live in and around the city, when they buy their fireworks.

Please ask for quiet but colourful fireworks and by our demand encourage the companies that make them to develop wonderful but quiet fireworks for our bonfire nights.

NUALA YOUNG, Tree Lane, Oxford