Ways to calm your horse during fireworks

Written by: Anna Franklin

Published on November 4, 2026

Read time 9 min

Table of Contents

Why are fireworks so stressful for horses? KEY TAKEAWAYS Plan ahead Keep calm and consistent Feed for calming support, starting with forage Play the radio, keep lights on and consider ear plugs Plan a late night and morning after check Frequently Asked Questions Other articles you may like

Why are fireworks so stressful for horses?

The loud bangs, sudden flashes and unpredictable timing of fireworks can turn a quiet November evening into a genuinely frightening experience for many horses.

As prey animals, their instinct is to run first and think later, which is why fireworks season can be such a worrying time for owners.

Their hearing is also more sensitive than ours. Noises which seem loud to us can be overwhelming and terrifying for a horse. Add in bright flashes, whistles and bangs that come with no warning and no pattern, and it's easy to see why even a usually laid-back horse can become unsettled.

Around one in five horse owners notice unusual behaviour during fireworks, including excess movement, sweating and restlessness.

It's also worth knowing that a horse who coped well last year isn't guaranteed to cope this year. Many tolerate fireworks on some occasions but not others, as a display that's slightly louder, longer or closer can push them past what they can manage.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

As prey animals with sensitive hearing, sudden bangs and flashes can trigger a strong flight response.

Plan ahead, check local events and talk to neighbours to give you time to prepare.

Keep your routine as normal as possible and stay calm yourself, it helps your horse feel secure.

Forage will keep your horse occupied and settles their stomach, while a calming feed works best when introduced well in advance.

A radio, stable lights, a safe environment and familiar company can all help reduce stress.

Always check your horse after fireworks and speak to your vet if they have reacted badly in the past.

Have a fire plan, check for injuries and colic the morning after, and ease back into work gently.

Long-term desensitisation can help horses cope better in future seasons.

Plan ahead

Stay informed about local events - Check local press, social media, and noticeboards to know when fireworks are scheduled. Remember that fireworks rarely start or stop on 5th November, so keep an eye out for displays on the weekends either side.
Chat with neighbours - If you're concerned about nearby private displays prepare in advance and ensure they understand your concerns. You could politely ask them to point fireworks away from fields and stables, or to consider quieter, low-noise options.
Not there at night? - Leave clear instructions for whoever is caring for your horse, along with your contact details and your vet's number.
Practise the set-up in advance - If your horse normally lives out but you plan to stable them during fireworks season, bring them in for a few hours each evening the week beforehand, so the change itself doesn't add to their stress. Set the stable up exactly as it will be on the night, whether that's the radio on, the top door shut or a treat ball to keep them busy.
Be prepared for fire - Stray fireworks causing a fire is unlikely, but being ready for it could save lives. Keep fire extinguishers, sand and water close to the stables, and if you're at livery, make sure you know the yard's fire drill and where you'd take your horse.

💡 Top tip: If your horse has reacted badly to fireworks in the past, speak to your vet and they can help you with a management plan appropriate for your horse.

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.

Staying calm yourself can have a positive effect on your horse's anxiety. Horses are very good at picking up on tension in the people around them, so a relaxed, matter-of-fact approach on the night will help far more than fussing.

Safety first: A frightened horse can be unpredictable. Never put yourself in danger by trying to handle or hold a horse that is panicking, and keep a safe distance until they have settled.

Feed for calming support, starting with forage

Forage keeps horses occupied and helps settle their stomachs. Whether your horse is stabled or turned out, having access to forage can help reduce stress.

Did you know? Chewing produces saliva, which can buffer stomach acid and have a settling effect.

A horse that is busy munching through a haynet is also less focused on the fireworks happening outside.

Calming Balancer contains targeted ingredients 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.

Combining a complete feed balancer with three complementary calming ingredients, all in one tasty pellet:

Magnesium - helps support calm, settled behaviour by keeping nerves and muscles working normally

L-tryptophan - an essential amino acid that supports calm behaviour by supporting serotonin production

Chamomile - a traditional herb with natural calming properties to support relaxation

Alongside these, Calming includes live yeast probiotics and a digestive supplement to support gut comfort, which matters because stress and digestion are closely linked. It's fed in very small daily amounts, so there's no extra bulk or unwanted energy in the bucket.

Calming balancer works best as part of a longer-term plan. If your horse has a severe fear of fireworks, speak to your vet about additional options.

Tips for stabled horses	Tips for field horses
Stick to routine - If your horse is especially stressed by being left out, bring them into the stable but keep their routine as normal as possible	Consider their temperament - If your horse prefers to remain outdoors, then keep that routine the same
Stable friends - Horses tend to feel more secure if they can see another horse nearby	Field safety - For nervous horses left out, ensure the field is secure and free from anything that could cause injury
Check for safety - Ensure the stable is safe, with no protruding objects, and that the door is secure	Extra forage - Provide piles of forage well spaced apart (with one extra pile than the total number of horses)
Keep forage and water topped up - A full haynet and fresh water will help keep them occupied and comfortable through the evening	Familiar company - Keep them with settled field companions they already know, as horses take reassurance from each other

Play the radio, keep lights on and consider ear plugs

Playing a radio in the evening or overnight can help distract from sudden bangs.
Keep it at a steady, comfortable volume, out of reach and well away from water and bedding.
Keeping stable lights on during this time of year can help calm reactive behaviour, as it softens the contrast of sudden flashes in the sky.
Ear plugs/covers can help muffle the noise. Only use products designed for horses, and introduce them gradually well before the night so wearing them doesn't become another source of stress.

Plan a late night and morning after check

A later check can help keep your mind at ease and ensure your horse is settled.

When you check, look for any signs of distress or injury, such as sweating, cuts or scrapes, a disturbed bed or damaged fencing. Where possible monitor horses during and after displays and contact your vet if you have any concerns.

Carry on with your horse's normal routine the next day, while giving them a thorough check over:

Check for injuries - Look closely for cuts, swellings or overreach injuries, in case they've run into something or caught themselves
Watch for signs of colic - Stress can upset the gut, so keep an eye out for pawing, rolling, looking at their flanks, reduced droppings or going off their feed, and call your vet straight away if you're worried
Inspect the field and water trough - Walk the whole field and check troughs for spent fireworks or debris that could cause injury or contaminate the water
Ease back into work - Avoiding intense work straight away, as horses can stay on edge for a few days. A relaxing walk or grooming session is a gentler way to help them settle

💡Top tip: Whether your horse is in or out, stay at the yard during nearby fireworks if you can, as your presence can have a calming effect. Make a night of it with a flask and a few jobs like cleaning tack, while always keeping a safe distance from a worried horse.

Fun facts about horses and fireworks

🐴 Horses can hear higher-pitched sounds than humans, and each ear can swivel independently to pinpoint where a noise is coming from.

🐴 In England and Wales, fireworks can't legally be set off between 11pm and 7am, but on bonfire night that curfew is extended to midnight.

🐴 Bonfire night dates back to 1605, when Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot failed to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

Worried about your horse this fireworks season? Our team is always happy to help.

Call us on 0114 266 6200, email info@bluechipfeed.com, or drop us a message on social media @bluechipfeed

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I bring my horse in or leave them out on bonfire night?

It depends on your horse. Some feel safer in a familiar stable, while others are calmer staying out with their field companions. The key is to stick with what they know and make sure their environment is as safe as possible.

Can I still help my horse if bonfire night is only days away?

Yes. Keeping routine, providing plenty of forage, leaving a radio and lights on, and checking your horse later in the evening can all make a difference, even at short notice.

My horse was fine last year, do I still need to prepare?

Yes. Horses can cope with fireworks one year and not the next, as a louder, longer or closer display can be too much. It's always worth having a plan in place.

When can I ride my horse again after fireworks?

Stick to their normal routine, but horses can stay on edge for a few days, so a quiet hack, walk in hand or grooming session is a better choice than intense work straight away.

When should I start feeding a calming feed?

Well in advance, ideally several weeks before fireworks season. Calming feeds support horses over a longer period of time rather than working as an instant fix.

How long does fireworks season last?

Fireworks often run from late October right through to New Year's Eve, taking in Diwali and the weekends either side of 5th November. It's worth keeping your plan in place for the whole season..

What should I do if my horse is injured by fireworks?

Contact your vet straight away. You can also log the incident with The British Horse Society through the Horse i app, which helps their campaign for safer fireworks laws.

Should I talk to my vet about my horse's fear of fireworks?

Yes, especially if your horse has reacted badly in the past. Your vet can help you put together a plan and discuss whether any further options are suitable.