Horses During Fireworks: Safety and Reducing Stress

Abby Dickinson
fireworks display

Horses During Fireworks: Safety and Reducing Stress

Horses during fireworks can be an owners worst nightmare. At this festive time of year, having fireworks near animals is almost unavoidable, much to owner’s dismay. Horses and fireworks law is becoming increasingly notice by the wider community though, however we think it’s alway best to be prepared!

From the 5th November (Bonfire Night) and onwards, the nation begins celebrating and making the most of the dark skies with bright, loud and rocket fuelled get-togethers. Although, some retail giants have taken on board the cries for firework sales to stop, the anxiety-inducing events still take place across the country!

Take a looks the these top-tips to make your fireworks night, as stress-free as possible!

Reducing Horse Distress During Fireworks

Plan Ahead

Look to local newspapers, notice boards and radio stations for information about firework displays in your area. Additionally, ask neighbours and local organisers if they are planning on personal firework displays. Inform them of the presence of your horse nearby and whether their location could be moved. If they are unwilling to make adjustments to their schedule, get details on the date, time and period they are going to holding their displays so you can be in the right place, at the right time!

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You’ll be able to find local firework displays, on every scale, by Google searching the term ‘fireworks in and around (insert area)‘.

Don’t Panic

Although fireworks night is stressful for both horse and owner, the key is to remain clam. Try not to make wild changes to your horse’s routine in order to keep them safe, as familiarity is more likely to help them feel secure. Staying in your usual routine is recommended, unless fireworks are set to be let off extremely close to where your horse is based.

Reducing Stress For Horses During Fireworks
Reducing Stress For Horses During Fireworks; Make sure that whoever is with your horse during firework displays, remains calm! Horse’s can pick up on human’s anxiety, which could make their firework experience more stressful.

Check Your Horse’s Environment

If your horse is usually stabled, check for any protruding objects, such as nails, or items that could cause injury, like string. Although these common stable features may have not harmed your horse in the past, a big bang may frighten your horse, leaving them unaware of their surrounding and potentially causing injury.

If you plan on leaving your horses out, make sure gateways and fencing is secure. Also, remove items that may cause injury as well as checking the ground for any large holes or uneven footing which can cause damage to your horse’s soft tissue.

Company

If you now when the fireworks are likely to be set off in your area, make sure someone calm and experienced is at the yard to over look your horse. If you are leaving your horse in the care of some else, make sure you have given them your contact details and the detail of your vet, in case something does go wrong.

Extra Measures

Try to ensure your horse has can see it’s friends or some other horse. As horses are herd animals, being able to see another with give them a sense of security when they do feel anxious.

Playing the radio can mask sharp and sudden nosies of fireworks, and distract for the short burst of chaos.

Make sure to consider your own and other peoples safety to at this time of year. A startled horse is a dangerous and unpredictable horse, so before tending to a distressed equine, think of your own safety first!

Make sure that you have adequate third party liability insurance. If your horse is frightened and escapes, causing an accident, then you could be held liable for compensation.

Reporting fireworks in your area, to the BHS, may also be an idea. It could help prevent displays in the immediate area for future, or put actions in place to work toward this! You can report firework incidents at www.bhs.org.uk/report-an-incident.

Additionally, signing an ongoing petition for the sale of fireworks to be stopped to the general public will help the work toward unneccessary displays, nationwide. Banning general public sales would mean only license-holders would be able to set off fireworks, so animal owners can be fully aware and prepared for the stress fireworks may bring! To sign the petition, visit www.petition.parliament.uk/petitions/276425.

 

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