Firework Safety Tips for Equestrians: Keeping Horses & Barns Safe on the Fourth of July

Wellington, FL (July 4, 2024) – While celebrating Independence Day is typically filled with sparklers, barbecues, fireworks, and red-white-and-blue clothes, food, and drink, it is unfortunately not the most horse-friendly of holidays. A few easy tips from FireHorse and WorldHorseWelfare.org can keep your equine friends calm and prevent injury this Fourth of July.

Fireworks can cause stress and fear in all animals, and it is important that we try to minimize this as much as possible for pets. Horses are flight animals and will generally try to remove themselves from a stressful or scary situation, which could result in injury if they attempt to jump a fence or climb over a stable door. However, there are some simple steps that you can take to help keep your horses safe.

KNOW THE DATES, TIMES, AND LOCATIONS OF LOCAL FIREWORKS EVENTS

Find out where the local displays are going to be, on what days and at what time. It’s not uncommon for people to use fireworks to mark other occasions such as New Year’s or a wedding, so keep an eye out for public notices of such events. Speak to neighbors to let them know that you have horses and need to prepare for any fireworks displays so they can let you know in advance if they are planning any. If any events are going to be held close by, consider bringing your horses into their stables during this time. However, if your horses are used to living out, then they may be best kept in their normal field.

KEEP YOUR HORSES IN A ROUTINE

Don’t alter your horses’ 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. Set up the stable exactly as you would on the night of the fireworks display, so for example, if you plan to have the radio on, have the top door of the stable shut, and to give them a treat ball to keep them occupied, then do this in the weeks leading up to the display too.

FIRE SAFETY

Although the likelihood of a rogue firework causing a stable fire is low, it is every owner’s worst nightmare and being prepared for the event of a stable fire could save lives. Make sure you have fire extinguishers, sand, and water nearby in case of a fire around the stables. If you keep your horses at livery, familiarise yourself with the fire drills – make sure you know where you should go with your horses – and encourage other liveries to do the same.

ON THE NIGHT:
REMAIN CALM

As an owner, your mood and stress levels will have a direct impact on your horses, so it is important that you don’t get angry or upset in front of your horses if neighbours nearby have a display that you weren’t expecting. Try to remain calm and hopefully your horses will too. However, remember your own safety is paramount, so do not try to handle your horses 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 horses 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 horses.

Check your horses regularly during the evening to make sure they are okay. 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:
CHECK YOUR HORSES FOR CUTS OR INJURIES

The day after a display it is important that you just carry on with your horses’ normal routine, but do check your horses 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 horses or wildlife or contaminate the area.

Source: WorldHorseWelfare.org

Media contact:
Equinium Sports Marketing, LLC
Holly Johnson
holly@equinium.com
www.equinium.com