Fireworks: keeping your horse safe

Fireworks events can be a worrying time for horse owners. Read our ideas to help you and your horse have a less stressful night.Fireworks events can be a worrying time for horse owners. Read our ideas to help you and your horse have a less stressful night.



Keep your horse in a routine

Don’t alter your horse’s routine on the day of a fireworks display as this in itself can be stressful. If you do plan to stable them during firework displays, and they are currently living out, then start bringing them in a week or so ahead of the display to get them used to it. You don’t have to keep them in for the entire night, just for a few hours covering either side of when the firework displays will be on.


Remain calm

As an owner your mood and stress levels will have a direct impact on your horse, so it is important that you don’t get angry or upset in front of your horse if neighbours nearby have a display that you weren’t expecting. Try to remain calm and hopefully your horse will too. However, remember your own safety is paramount so do not try to handle your horse if they are acting in a dangerous or unpredictable manner. Limit the risks to them by ensuring there are no sharp or protruding objects near them but keep yourself at a safe distance and out of harm’s way.
 
Use distractions

Give your horse plenty of hay to keep them occupied, even if they are in a field. If stabled, put a radio on to mask the noise of the fireworks, but make sure that the radio is positioned safely so it cannot be accessed by the horse.
Check your horse regularly during the evening to make sure they are ok. If you can, it’s often a good idea to stay with them because your presence may have a calming effect. Make a night of it; you could bring a flask and picnic to the stables and do some of those jobs you keep putting off, like giving your tack a deep clean. If you are on a livery yard, encourage other owners to do the same.

The morning after

The day after a display it is important that you just carry on with your horse’s normal routine but do check your horse thoroughly for any cuts or injuries just in case they have over-reached or run into something. Check your field for any stray fireworks which might have landed there
Fully inspect the entire field and water trough to make sure there is no debris left in the field which could injure your horse or wildlife or contaminate the area.