Keeping your horse calm and safe during firework season

The flashes and bangs that excite us can be distressing to all animals and, as firework season runs from November until February, that’s a significant problem for sensitive horses. We look at ways to alleviate the stress and help keep our horses happy and calm.

How do fireworks affect horses?

The British Horse Society have had 1030 firework incidents reported since 2010, including:

270 horse injuries
69 human injuries
35 horse fatalities

Although due to un-reporting, the actual figures could be up to 10 times higher.

Can fireworks cause serious injuries to horses?

Equine vet Lucinda Ticehurst has treated stress colic, choking, wounds caused by barging fences, head injuries and nosebleeds from hitting the tops of stable doors, overheating, lameness and broken legs, caused by fireworks. “Many animals are fine with fireworks,” she says, “however, loud bangs and flashing lights terrify some.”

Which horses are more at risk from fireworks?

Old, young and isolated horses are most at risk (horses are usually calmer in a herd environment) but even those who have seemed unaffected before may succumb to anxiety.

Rachel Angell, Head of Redwings Norfolk Equine Operations, says, “Each situation is different and fireworks that are a little closer, a little louder, or go on for a little longer may affect the wellbeing of individuals in unexpected ways. We’ve lost three wonderful horses to fireworks related incidents in the last decade.”

How to keep your horse calm and safe during fireworks

Find out when local firework displays are happening

Do your research on timings and locations, then you can move horses who live out to your furthest paddock.

Rachel recommends “keeping horses out if they usually live out, as bringing them in may cause more problems than it solves.”

Check fields and fencing before fireworks

Check your fences are secure and paddocks are as safe as possible – remove fire hazards from them and your yard in case of stray fireworks.

Keep your horse's normal routine

Whether your horse is in or out, maintain the reassurance of their normal routine, and check on them regularly throughout displays, discretely, so as not to unsettle them.

Use forage, toys and background noise to distract your horse

Give them extra forage or a playball to distract them, and if they are inside leave the lights and radio on.

Speak to your vet around severe firework anxiety

For horses prone to extreme anxiety, contact your vet well in advance; after a full health check, your vet may be able to give a pre-emptive calmer.

How to report an equine firework incident

The BHS urges equestrians to report any firework related incidents, regardless of severity, using the BHS Horse i app, which helps them to better understand the rate of these incidents across the UK, and work to improve equine safety.

Stay calm around your horse during fireworks

Your horse will look to you for cues on whether they need to be worried or not, so try to stay calm, cheerful and measured in your voice and movements. If you don’t seem concerned, they will feel less concerned themselves.

Written by: Samantha Khan
Last reviewed on: 19 October 2026

About the Author

Sam Khan shares her woodland home with Junior, the cat, Gully, the dog and bunnies Hugo & Billy, sometimes playing the family’s ‘favourite’ game with the tortoise – “Where’s Churchill?” She loves writing for Agria, sharing our passion for animal welfare, protecting biodiversity and the environment. When not writing or illustrating, she will be making something, reading a book or swimming in the lake at the bottom of her lane.