In a few days, we'll collectively count down to the new year. The turn of the year is often accompanied by fireworks being set off in your neighborhood. But how does your horse cope with these loud bangs? Is it best to keep your horse inside or outside? Are there any tips to prevent or reduce fireworks anxiety? We'll tell you all about it in our blog!
Are horses afraid of fireworks?
Horses are naturally flight animals. According to their instincts, this means they will flee when they feel there is danger. Horses may become anxious due to the hiss, bang, flash of light, or smell of the fireworks. Fortunately, many horses are not afraid of fireworks, as it can be compared to a severe thunderstorm. Horses are familiar with the sound of thunder, so the sound of fireworks doesn't usually scare most horses more than thunder would. However, horses that generally become anxious during a thunderstorm, or horses that are naturally more stressed, are likely to experience the same fear with fireworks.
Expressions of Fear
Every horse expresses its fear in a different way, which varies from horse to horse. Common expressions of fear include:
- Snorting and blowing
- Tense body
- Startle response
- Running away
- Rearing
- Aggressive behavior
- Freezing (standing still, doing nothing)
- ...
Tips leading up to the turn of the year
We would like to get through the turn of the year without worries. It is important to prepare yourself and your horse well for New Year's Eve. Horses are creatures of habit, so try to maintain the daily routine as much as possible. This prevents extra stress and will give your horse a calm feeling. If you still want to make some adjustments to the daily routine for the benefit of your horse, try to prepare your horse as well as possible.
Inside or outside?
Do you normally keep your horse inside or outside at night?
If your horse is used to being outside at night, and the pasture is located in a quiet area (without too much fireworks), then you can safely keep your horse outside during the turn of the year. Be sure to check that the pasture is well fenced all around and there are no dangerous objects in the field. If your horse is in a location where a lot of fireworks are set off nearby, you can kindly request to take your horse into consideration. If you have the option to put your horse inside but your horse usually stays outside at night, start putting your horse in the stable every night in advance so that he can get used to his new sleeping place.
If your horse is used to being inside at night, then check the stable for safety. Ensure your horse cannot injure itself in case of fear or panic. Keep reading and discover more tips on how to best reassure your horse during the turn of the year in the Tips for New Year's section.
Tips for the turn of the year
When the fireworks are set off, the aim is for your horse to not be too preoccupied with the fireworks themselves. Therefore, provide enough distraction so that your horse has no reason to be anxious. Here are some useful tips:
Radio
Turn on the radio so that the sound of the fireworks is less audible. Make sure that your horse already knows the sound of the radio. If your horse is not yet familiar with it, it's a good idea to let him get used to it beforehand. Also, make sure that the stable doors and windows are tightly closed so that the sound of the fireworks is as limited as possible and the radio can absorb the excess noise of the fireworks.
Light
If there is light inside your horse's stable, leave the light on at night. If it is dark inside the stable, the light from outside stands out more. This makes the flashes of fireworks extra visible to your horse and can trigger extra anxiety. Therefore, leave the light on in the stable so that the flashes are less noticeable. If possible, try to darken the windows. If you have shutters, be sure to close them so that the flashes are not visible. If you don't have shutters, you could potentially make temporary window coverings out of cardboard.
Plenty of food
Provide plenty of food for your horse so that he always has something to nibble on during the turn of the year. This way, your horse will be less focused on the fireworks because he is distracted by the food. First and foremost, ensure there is enough roughage. You can place the roughage in the stable or make it last longer with a hay net or slow feeder. With a hay net or slow feeder, your horse has to work harder to get the roughage, keeping him occupied with his food for longer. Additionally, there are various feed toys available that will ensure your horse is less focused on the fireworks. Some examples of feed toys are Uncle Jimmy’s hanging ball, Kong Equine, Maximus Feed & Play... A lick stone can also help divert attention from the fireworks. Some examples of lick stones are the Himalayan lick stone, Likit lick stones...
Toys
Finally, horse toys can also help distract from the fireworks. In our webshop and stores, we have plenty of toys in stock that are ideal for your horse's stable. Some popular products include: Kentucky horse toys, Maximus Power Play Ball, Jolly Ball, QHP horse toys... The Jolly Ball and Maximus Power Play Ball can be used both indoors and outdoors! This way, your horse has more distractions and will be less focused on the fireworks during the turn of the year.
Would you like to know more about toys? Read our blog: Tips against boredom in the stable!
Fireworks also bring a risk of fire. Therefore, we recommend going to the stable or pasture where your horse is multiple times during the turn of the year. Also, be sure to leave your horse's halter on at night, so you can immediately take your horse out of the pasture or stable in case of an emergency!
Calming agents
If your horse was very anxious during past New Year’s or is naturally extremely anxious, you can choose to give a calming agent leading up to the turn of the year, allowing your horse to spend New Year's Eve in peace.
Below are products that are calming agents that can be used during and leading up to the turn of the year. Make sure to inquire in advance from one of our experts or consult your veterinarian for more information before administering a calming agent.
We wish you a happy and healthy 2022!
We hope these tips will help you start the new year with peace of mind. Remember that a horse is very sensitive to what you feel. So relax and reassure your horse before, during, and after the fireworks. Also, make sure to check multiple times that everything is in order.
Make it a beautiful end of the year for yourself and see you next year!
If you still have questions after reading this article on how to best reassure your horse during the turn of the year, contact our specialized team. They are happy to help you further!
