Planning is Key
Find out if there are to be any fireworks displays local to where your horse is kept. Find out the dates and times, speak to your neighbours if they are having a display, let them know that you have horses, and ask them to give you notice in advance to prepare for the event.
Try to keep your horse in his normal routine. Any sudden changes could cause more stress on top of the planned fireworks. If you plan to stable your horse whilst the fireworks are going on, consider starting this ahead of the display if they have been out over the summer, so that your horse can get used to it. You can keep stable lights on to minimise the flash of the fireworks and play low-level music to help create a distraction. However, depending on your horse/location of the display etc, if he is used to living out then he may be best kept in his normal field.
Every horse owner’s worst nightmare is the possibility of a fire on your yard. Being prepared for a stable fire could save both human and equine lives. Make sure you have fire extinguishers, sand, and water to hand just in case and familiarise yourself with fire drills if your horse is kept at a livery yard.
Remain Calm
You have done all the prep work, now your job is to remain calm. Heightened mood and stress levels will have a negative impact on your horse. Keep to the routine you have instigated pre-fireworks and remember that your safety is also key, so do not put yourself into any danger.
The morning after the night before
Check your horse for any injuries they may have sustained during the display and check the field to make sure that no firework debris has landed anywhere that could cause injury.
