Tips on keeping your horse calm and safe during fireworks, from creating a comforting environment to using stress-relief aids.
There’s a flash of sparks overhead, an ear-shattering boom, and bam! Your horse is running backwards at the trailer, rearing up in their stall, or making hot laps in their pasture. Horses and fireworks infamously do not mix, and there are many instances throughout the year when this can become a real problem. Memorial Day Weekend, the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve—not to mention private celebrations or even pyrotechnics that are part of certain equestrian events. It is inevitable that your horse will encounter the “rocket’s red glare” at some point, so how can you help keep them calm and safe until these colorful displays are over?
When at Home
When dealing with fireworks at home, you should have an easier time calming your horse since they will be in a familiar environment with familiar objects. The first way to set yourself up for success is to know when fireworks shows will be happening, if at all possible. There are some days of the year when fireworks can be expected like clockwork, but even then, it may be hard to figure out exactly when all these shows will be occurring. There may be official fireworks displays hosted by towns and communities that have a set start and end time, but personal celebrations such as cookouts probably will not have formal times for their shows. In this case, you may try speaking with neighbors to find out if and when they plan on shooting fireworks.
After you know fireworks are going to occur, make sure that wherever your horse is staying during the show is clear of potentially hazardous objects. Sharp fence posts, broken pieces of metal, nails, loose boards, and even tree stumps and dangling branches could injure your horse should they flee from the fireworks, especially since it will be dark. Remove as many of these objects as you can before the display to minimize risk.
If your horse is particularly nervous or spooky, you may consider staying with them or putting them with a calmer buddy horse during the show. Obviously, horses are very sensitive to emotion, so if you do stay with your horse, make sure you are relaxed. Petting them, feeding them treats, and talking to them are simple ways to provide reassurance. Young horses may be more likely to need your presence, as may new horses that are unfamiliar with their environment.
In some cases, sedation may be the best way to manage a horse during a fireworks show. This is where knowing about the show beforehand can be extra helpful. Contact your veterinarian and either make arrangements for them to come sedate your horse or ask them what calming products they recommend, as there are many that owners can administer themselves.
When at the Show
Dealing with fireworks when at the horse show is a completely different game. Horses tied to trailers can quickly injure themselves when spooked. Sometimes, fireworks may be coming from nearby places and not from the horse show itself, but many events, particularly rodeos, are known for incorporating some form of pyrotechnic into their performances. They mainly do this during the national anthem and opening ceremonies. If these fireworks are being set off in an indoor arena, you may want to keep your horse outside until afterwards; if you are at an outdoor facility, you may consider parking farther away from the arena. Once again, make sure your horse’s surroundings are free from harmful objects, such as sharp pieces of metal sticking out from your trailer or even cinder blocks and other miscellaneous objects that can be found in fairgrounds parking lots. Give your horse physical reassurance, and if possible, tie them on the side of the trailer away from where the fireworks are being launched, or untie them completely from the trailer and hold them until the display is over.
Typically, horses that are exposed to fireworks on a regular basis, such as rodeo horses, will become desensitized to them over time. This is not true for every horse, but age and experience often do wonders. Remember to be patient with your horse, as they are prey animals whose fight-or-flight instincts kick in over the smallest disturbances for their own safety. You most likely will not be able to keep your horse away from fireworks entirely, so having a plan in place is key for ensuring their well-being. Also, remember that dealing with frightened horses can be dangerous; do not put yourself in unsafe situations when trying to help them. Knowing your horse and their individual triggers and personalities should guide your decisions when it comes to the best way to comfort them.
Whether it is the red, white, and blue of summertime, the grand gold showers piercing a New Year’s night, or the glitzy showmanship of a rodeo, keeping your horse safe during a fireworks show is far from impossible. The main thing to keep in mind is that your horse will look to you for its cues, so take a deep breath, give them a pat on the neck, and maybe a CBD cookie, too. For most horses, there is nothing more comforting than a friend.
