Guide to 4th of July Horse Safety: 5 Ways To Keep Horses Calm During Fireworks and Festivities

Horses and Fireworks: 5 Ways to Keep Your Horse Calm

With a bit of preparation, you can help your horses and the 4th of July coexist peacefully. This list of holiday horse safety tips will make Independence Day and other loud celebrations a whole lot easier for you and your equine companions.

1. Distract Them

A great way to help your horse deal with the excitement of the 4th of July is to distract them. A slow feeder like this Professional's Choice Equisential Hay Bag will have your horse focusing on eating (especially if there are some special treats inside) instead of the extra noise.

Calming music also helps. Constant background noise such as music helps make the sudden booms less startling.

2. Secure Your Animal in a Barn or Behind Strong Fencing

Restraining your horse is a very effective way to improve horse safety. When your horse is tucked safely away in his stall, he won't be able to bolt. Just make sure there's nothing sharp or hazardous in there before locking him up. A runaway horse is dangerous and likely to get injured or lost. If the horse is going to remain outside, your pasture fencing should be sturdy enough to help prevent an escape. Electric fences should be checked prior to the events to make sure they are in good working order.

3. Avoid 4th of July Horse Loneliness

Horses like to be in a herd, so you may want to arrange for some companionship if you only have one horse. Two horses may handle the stress better than one. Pair up a nervous horse with a familiar friend that isn't phased by the commotion, and it will help keep him calm. If you have multiple horses, make sure they are together.

4. Try Calming Supplements for Horses

Yes, there are horse-calming supplements that work! Equine calming supplements and other healthcare products with all-natural ingredients are a safe and effective way to help settle your horse's nerves. These products aid in reducing anxiety in excitable or nervous animals. There are also calming feeds for horses available that offer the same soothing effects. We carry a wide assortment of the best calming supplements for horses, so you can be sure to find what you need.

5. Consider Prescription Drugs

If your horse gets extremely upset and these methods and calming supplements for horses don't work, you may need to consult your veterinarian. They can prescribe medication to help pacify your steed.