Summer’s on the way, and that means outdoor parties and fireworks. That’s right, fireworks – they’re hardly limited to the 4th of July. Nowadays, people shoot them off Memorial and Labor Day weekends, and everything in between.
Fireworks seem to be fair game nearly any summer night, which can make life difficult for your horse. Most animals are scared by them, especially horses. They’re flight creatures, so loud noises get them easily startled. The problem occurs when fireworks are shot off at night because you’re not there to keep an eye on your horse. However, there are things you can do to help your horse cope a little better.
Do your homework
Keep an eye on social media to see when and where the displays will be in your area. Keep tabs with your neighbors to find out when they’ll be shooting them off on random summer night. If you have a strong relationship with friends, it will make voicing displeasure that much easier.
Be proactive
If you don’t know your neighbors very well, be proactive and let them know you have horses so they can minimize how often they’re used or at least ask them to shoot them off in opposite directions.
Keep him inside
This one’s a no-brainer. If they’re outside, they could run into fencing and get hurt – or get loose. Granted, they can still get hurt by jumping around inside a stall, but there you’ll have better control. It’s really going to depend on your set-up and environment. You’ll want to keep him in the place where he’s the safest. If you do keep him inside, check the stall for anything that could cause injury, such as protruding nails and rope. If outside, check that the fencing is secure and there are no objects waiting to be tripped on.
Have someone watch them
If you’re not able to keep an eye on him, have a friend stay nearby to check on him. That way someone can observe his behavior and give you peace of mind for when no one is able to watch him in the future. You can also react a lot faster if the horse becomes upset. Be sure to leave detailed instructions and contact info in case something happens. At the very minimum, check in on him after the display has ended.
Steer clear
If you know your horse has a history of fireworks issues, definitely don’t ride him in a place where fireworks could be used. And never get in the way of him lest you run the risk of getting hurt. Overall, try to remain calm and positive as your horse will sense an uneasy person.
Distract him
Some owners play soothing music on a nearby radio to create a distraction. Another idea is to leave loud fans on that muffle the loud noises, but make sure they’re suitable for barns – you don’t need any extra fire hazards around. An extra bag of feed might offer another distraction, as well.
Consider sedation
If you know fireworks cause your horse a great deal of stress, you could talk to your veterinarian about sedation. If it’s the difference between hurting himself or not, it may be your only solution.