Ease Fireworks Anxiety

What to know and do to keep your horse from panicking and possibly hurting himself at the sound of Fourth of July celebrations.

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Fourth of July fireworks can cause extreme anxiety in some horses, leading to panicked behavior and even injury. If your horse falls into this category, or if he’s new to an area where he’ll hear firecrackers this month and you’re not sure how he’ll react, take steps to make sure he stays safe.

Prep in Advance ­

Find out what you can about any upcoming, nearby fireworks displays. How distant are they? What’s the timeframe for them, and how loud will they be?

Safety-check your horse’s stall, run, paddock, or pasture for anything that might injure him should he panic.

If the extent of the fireworks and your horse’s likely reaction warrant it, think about moving him to another, quieter location for the duration of the display.