Horses and Fireworks – Prepare for Bonfire Night

Fireworks & The Law

Here in the UK the use and purchase of fireworks is controlled by The Fireworks Regulations 2004. This legislation is in place not only to keep us safe but to reduce the level of nuisance caused. Here's what the law states...

• Fireworks can be set off at any time of the year, on any day.
• They can be let off on private land and in gardens.
• They must not be let off in public spaces such as parks or streets.
• It is not a legal requirement for neighbours and organisers to inform you of a display, though it is highly recommended.
• It's illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.
• Fireworks can not be set off after 11pm except for exempt dates*.

Exempt Days

• Bonfire Night (November 5th 2021): 12pm
• New Year’s Eve (December 31st 2021): 1am
• Diwali (4th November 2021): 1am
• Chinese New Year (1st February 2022): 1am

Find out more about UK firework laws here.

Horses and Fireworks

While bright colours and flashing lights can make for a mesmerising display, not everyone likes fireworks. Understandably, horses and fireworks simply don't get along. As pray animals, horses have a heightened sense of awareness, highly sensitive to loud noises, strange smells and flashing lights. Naturally, their instinct is to flee when they sense danger. Unfortunately, it's simply impossible to escape from something that's in the sky above you. As a result, even the calmest of horses can become extremely unsettled. When something is upsetting our horses or causing discomfort, the adrenal glands release a hormone called cortisol. Also known as the ‘stress hormone’, this prepares their body to react, resulting in behaviour changes like:

• Vocalisation
• Pawing
• Sweating
• Snorting
• Shaking
• Yawning
• Restlessness
• Spooking
• Bucking & Rearing
• Weaving
• Box/Fence Walking
• Cribbing
• Bolting
• Decreased Appetite
• Flared Nostrils
• Elevated Heart Rate
• Diarrhoea

Horse and Fireworks - Preparation

Often, tradition dictates that fireworks are a central part of many celebrations. Public attitudes towards this are slowly starting to shift, with many of us seeing just how much distress they can cause. That being said, private and organised events still do take place. So, the question is, what can we do to help our horses? As always, the answer lies in good preparation.

In the run up to bonfire night (and New Years Eve) it's a really good idea to keep an eye out for the dates of any planned displays happening nearby. You can do this by looking online, on local noticeboards in shops and keeping an eye out for posters. If your horses are kept close to surrounding properties, you may also want to ask your neighbours about their plans. Obviously, you cannot account for every possibility but it can help you to be prepared.

We'd also recommend that you have adequate third-party liability insurance. In the event that your horse escapes, this will ensure you're covered for any compensation that may be required.

Where Should I Keep My Horse?

Horses are creatures of habit, they like to know what will be happening when. When they aren't following their usual patterns, it can cause anxiety. Ideally, try to stick as close to their usual routine as possible. That being said, there are lots of things that need to be considered when deciding whether your horse should be in or out, take a look...

When To Stable

Stabling your horse could be the best option if:

When To Turn Out

Turning your horse out could be the best option if:

How Can I Help My Horse?

When we think about horses and fireworks, our primary concern is keeping them safe. But it's not just their physical wellbeing we need to think about, it's their mental state too. Here's a few things you can do to help keep stress to a minimum: Ensure that your horse is not alone. As herd animals, they're happier with company.

You don't have to stay with your horse all night, however regular checks are a good idea. It can be easier to buddy up with other owners to ensure that everyone is checked on regularly between sundown and the firework curfew time.

Ensure your horse has plenty of food to nibble at. It can be best to split this into a few nets or piles.

Provide toys and treats as a welcome distraction. We'd recommend using wall mounted options in the stable, so your horse has plenty of room to move around.

Leave the radio on (out of their reach) to disguise loud bangs. It's best to introduce this well in advance, so they become accustomed to the background noise and associate it with feeling relaxed and calm.

Alternatively, try using ear plugs. These are more commonly used at competitions, but can also help to muffle the sound of loud fireworks.

Leave lights on to reduce the effects of flashing fireworks.

Ensure stables are dry with a deep bed. This will prevent your horse slipping if they start to pace.

Stay calm! Horses are very good at sensing our emotions. So, try to avoid acting differently as it may cause your horse to worry.

Should I Use A Calmer?

If distractions and clever planning simply aren't enough, you may want to consider using a calmer. If you've never done this before, it might sound a little scary. Rest assured though, calmers and sedatives aren't the same thing. Sedatives are given by your vet, usually for veterinary, farriery or dentistry procedures. By definition, they “produce a state of calm or sleep”. On the other hand, calmers simply make it easier for your horse to process what's going on around them! They work by helping to manage their responses to stimuli, of which there's plenty on Bonfire Night! If you know that your horse has a spooky nature, it's worth looking into...

Fast Acting Oral Calmers

These days, there's a huge range of calmers out there to choose from. For Bonfire Night, we'd recommend an instant calmer. These offer immediate, short term effects and are easy to administer orally. When we say immediate, they can take an hour or two to disperse round the horse's body, but this is a much quicker option than other calming supplements that have to be used on a regular basis. Take a look at our top picks...