By vet Freya Wood
As autumn has arrived and the darker nights are well and truly upon us, something many animal owners will be considering is their plan to keep their animals safe and comfortable during any firework displays during the autumn and winter months.
While the awareness of the effects of fireworks on household pets is a common consideration, the effect on our equines is not as widely discussed.
Sadly, each year horses die or suffer from severe injuries in incidents relating to fireworks. An online survey compiled by Redwings Horse Sanctuary in 2024, where over 5,000 horse owners submitted responses, identified impacts on their horses, ranging from behaviour changes (appearing nervous and unsettled), attempting or managing to escape, injuring themselves or their handler and injuries or illness requiring veterinary treatment, with 4 per cent of incidents proving fatal to the horse. In this survey, 95 per cent of those responding felt fireworks should be more tightly regulated.
While review of the legislation around fireworks may be helpful in the long term, what can we do for our horses in the meantime?
Horses, ponies and donkeys prefer routine. On days when you know fireworks are being let off try to keep their routines the same and where possible keep them with their friends to reduce unnecessary stress. Distractions such as extra hay or treat balls can be useful, as can stable mirrors, but mirrors should be introduced a few days before so the horse can get used to them.
Having a radio on in the stables may help disguise the noise of fireworks and the leaving the lights on can mask the flashes that may startle the horse.
Check paddock fencing and gates for damage or loose areas which may provide easier escape routes or a hazard for a spooked horse. Ensure there are no areas in the stable where the horse could catch themselves and cause an injury if they do panic. Have on display the name and contact details of your veterinary practice, along with postcode or what3words for the location of your horses so quick veterinary attention can be obtained in an emergency. And have a fire extinguisher close to hand in case of a stray firework. After any firework events check the paddocks for any spent firework casings. Some of our equines will find fireworks so distressing that prescription medications do need to be considered. Many owners will be familiar with sedation gels containing the medication detomidine used for clipping or the farrier, and these same gels can be useful during firework displays. These must be given in plenty of time and the horse is not able to eat whilst sedated due to the risk of oesophageal obstruction (“choke”).
The medication acepromazine, that also is provided as a gel form, has been used for many years as an anxiolytic, however, particularly in dogs, this is no longer considered as being an appropriate medication for an anxious animal.
There is a move now towards using human anxiolytic medications off-license as more appropriate options in these cases, both in fearful canines and equines, so please speak to your vets to see if this is a consideration for your horse.
These steps are of course only possible when you have knowledge that fireworks are to be let off. Try to make yourself aware of any planned displays in your area, especially those that may be outside of the popular dates such as Bonfire Night or New Years Eve. Redwings have provided a template letter on their website that you can send to neighbours to try and find out about any unofficial displays.