If your horse has a nervous nature or is prone to stress during this time of year, now is a great time to think about how your management and feeding could help ease any challenges.
- Plan Ahead:
Stay informed about local fireworks events. Check local press, social media, and noticeboards to know when events are scheduled. If you’re concerned about nearby private displays, a friendly chat with neighbours can help, letting you prepare in advance and ensuring they understand your concerns.
- Keep Calm and Consistent:
Routine is comforting to horses. Try to maintain their normal yard visits, feeding, and turnout timings, as these small consistencies can make a significant difference. Also, staying calm yourself can have a positive effect on your horse’s anxiety.
- Feed for Calming Support:
If you plan to use a calming supplement or feed, start introducing it well in advance for the best effect. Blue Chip Calming Feed Balancer, for example, contains a targeted supplement to help settle horses over a longer period of time. This can be especially helpful if your horse may become more on edge from additional stabling or a reduced winter workload.
- Consider Playing the Radio:
Playing a radio in the evening or overnight can help distract from the sudden noises of fireworks. Introduce the radio before the season begins so your horse becomes accustomed to it.
- Keep the Lights On:
Keeping stable lights on during firework season can help dim the flash of fireworks, reducing spooky behaviour.
- Provide Plenty of Forage:
Tips for Stabled Horses
- Stick to Routine: If your horse is especially stressed by fireworks, bring them into the stable but keep their routine as normal as possible.
- Stable Buddies: Horses tend to feel more secure if they can see another horse nearby.
- Check for Safety: Ensure the stable is safe, with no protruding objects, and that the door is secure.
- Tips for Horses Left Turned Out
- Consider Their Temperament: If your horse is typically calm, they may prefer to remain outdoors, especially if they’re used to being turned out overnight in a herd.
- Field Safety: For nervous horses left out, ensure the field is secure and free from anything that could cause injury.
- Extra Forage: Providing extra hay piles can help keep them occupied without fighting. Always provide one extra pile per horse, spaced apart.
Plan a Late-Night Check
A late check-in, or arranging one with a trusted yard member, can help keep your mind at ease and ensure your horse is settled. This is especially important if you are on a livery yard—make sure any checks align with the yard owner’s rules.
Supporting Your Horse with Nutrition
Blue Chip Super Concentrated Calming Feed Balancer is an ideal choice for horses prone to stress around firework season. This balancer provides essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to maintain long-term health, while the added calming support works to help your horse feel settled during this challenging time.
For more guidance, we also have a video below on desensitising your horse to fireworks.
By taking these steps and keeping yourself calm, you’ll help create a safer, more settled environment for your horse throughout firework season.
