Fireworks

While there are ongoing legal debates about reducing access to fireworks, there are steps you can take now to help keep your horses calm.  

Preparing for fireworks

Desensitise your horse

Helping your horse get used to loud noises and flashing lights can reduce your horse's reaction to fireworks. You can introduce firework noises using any portable device you have to hand and can use colour-changing LED lights to introduce flashing lights. 

• Start by playing the noises at a low volume, then gradually increase the volume so your horse can get used to the sound

• Introduce the flashing lights gradually, building them up steadily alongside the noises as your horse begins to get more comfortable and less reactive

• Remember to let others on the yard know what you are planning as they may want to do something similar to help desensitise their horses or want to move their horse safely to another area to avoid distress

• If you don't have any firework sounds, brass band music can have a similar impact.

Talk to your vet

If you know your horse has reacted particularly badly to fireworks in previous years, it may be a good idea to talk to your vet. 

Check what's happening near you

• Don't wait until Bonfire Night to find out what displays are happening, as many displays will happen before or after the day itself

• Social media and local papers are often useful sources to check for public displays and local events

• It's also worth talking to your neighbours to discuss any private displays they might be planning

• Remember, not everyone realises the impact fireworks can have on horses, so it's always better to have a calm conversation before there are any issues

• Keep in mind there are also other events which often involve fireworks such as Diwali or weddings.

Make sure your yard is safe 

• Tidy your yard to reduce the risk of a fire starting. It's a good idea to empty your muck heap and clear any unused hay, straw or other combustible material from the stable areas.

• Take the time to check your fire evacuation plan, fire extinguishers and alarms.

• Carefully check your stables for any protruding nails, sharp edges or slippery surfaces that could cause injury to your horse if they do get spooked.

• Check all the fences and gates are secure to help prevent your horse from escaping their stable or field.

On the evening of a firework display

• Try to stay as calm as possible. If you're anxious, your horse will pick up on it.

• Keep your horse's routine wherever possible, but if you know when fireworks are starting, try to stay with your horse and play music to soften the sound.

• If you share a yard with other owners, you can set up a rota to check on the horses during peak firework season.

• Remember, you can report any incidents that happen to BHS. This helps us collect evidence of common incidents and work towards making positive changes for equestrians and their horses. 

To stable or not to stable

While you might assume your horse will be safer in their stable than out in a field, there's no evidence either way:  

• Some horses prefer being in their stables, while others feel safer outside where they can see the fireworks with companions close by.

• A horse can still get scared in a stable and injure themselves. However, in a field, they can build up more speed when frightened and potentially catch themselves on a fence or strain a muscle. 

If you decide to turn your horse out, check your field is safe, secure and not close to where the display is happening. All it takes is one stray firework to prompt a horse to test boundaries. 
 
* According to a 2020 survey carried out by The Blue Cross in the run-up to New Year's Eve 

Alternative ways to celebrate

It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of the sky lighting up, but it's important to consider how fireworks affect others. They can frighten animals and cause nearby horses to panic, which could lead to serious injury or even death. People caring for horses can also be put at risk as they try to calm them.

It's not just horses and their carers who may be affected. Your neighbours and their pets may find fireworks distressing, as may assistance animals and the people who rely on them.

There are plenty of other ways to celebrate, such as attending light shows with music or drone displays. If you do choose fireworks, consider attending an organised public display that uses low-noise fireworks rather than setting of your own. Public displays are usually advertised in advance, giving horse owners time to plan ahead and take any necessary steps to support their horses.

You can download our poster to help raise awareness.

Did you know?

We record incidents reported by the public through our Horse i app to help us understand the impact fireworks can have on horses and their owners. These reports provide valuable evidence for our campaign to encourage safer, more considerate firework use.

Since March 2021, there have been 1,207 firework-related incidents have been logged on the app, including:

• 21 horse fatalities

• 110 horse injuries

• 39 people injured

• 926 incidents where horse owners had no warning that fireworks would be taking place nearby.

(Stats recorded from March 2021 to January 2026)

Every report represents a real horse, owner or member of the public affected by fireworks, highlighting why better awareness, communication and responsible use are so important.