July 4th is a holiday that gets mixed love from our horse community.
For many, it is exciting. It is happy. We get to celebrate our country and the freedom. He have cookouts. Gather with friends and family around the grill, the pool, another body of water. Young kids get to play with sparklers. There are parades, festivals, parties left and right. Once the sun goes down we get to see the sky light up with colorful explosive bursts. The fireworks can be heard for miles. If you have the right vantage point you might see multiple fireworks displays from one location.
For others, July 4th brings extreme anxiety. Fireworks can trigger people with PTSD. They frighten animals who have no clue what’s going on. Animal caregivers develop anxiety in the week leading up to the fireworks shows because they know how it affects their animals.
The issue can be especially stressful because in most states fireworks are legally available to regular citizens. Only Massachusetts has a complete ban on all pyrotechnics…even the sparklers. We cannot choose our neighbors and a lot of times we have “that one guy” next door or nearby who buys a carload of fireworks and spends the whole night setting them off…for days on end…with little to no regard of how his actions affect others nearby. His justification tends to be “it’s legally my right and I’m on my own property.”
In some places people are adopting silent fireworks….simply by replacing the pyrotechnics with drones.
I grew up loving fireworks. I still do. But I understand and have empathy for those who see them differently. Every year I see one or two posts about a horse who killed itself trying to run from the fireworks. A dog gone missing because it was terrified and ran away.
Perhaps my viewpoint would be changed if I had experienced some of the tragedies I have heard about. I can’t fathom finding my horse dead after breaking its neck in a blind frightening run away from something. I don’t discount the experiences of others and consider myself blessed to have avoided such a thing thus far.
Personally, I don’t want to see fireworks disappear (I especially love the loud chest pounding booms). I love fireworks shows, even if it’s been a few years since I’ve enjoyed a good one. It was part of a very happy childhood…and it came along on occasion. It wasn’t every night, every week, or even every month. We saw fireworks maybe twice a year.
Should Neighbor Joe be able to enjoy his private fireworks show? I don’t think it’s totally necessary, but I don’t know that legislation would ever actually prevent that.
Learning to Adapt
It is a reality that as humans living in society we have to adapt to some things that we don’t love. While fireworks are not everyone’s favorite, I would think the majority of society still loves them. The tradition of July 4th fireworks dates back to Philadelphia in 1777 after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Our country puts on over 14000 professional displays each year for July 4th alone with each display costing $25,000-$100,000.
So as animal caregivers what are some ways that we can support our innocent creatures? As humans we have the knowledge and foresight and we are tasked with the responsibility of planning ahead. July 4th comes every year and it is no surprise that it brings fireworks with it.
- If your horse is used to a stall, consider keeping it in a stall overnight with his friends.
- Close the barn doors to reduce sound
- Turn on the radio…studies show that classical and country music most closely mimics a horse’s natural walking pace and can help a horse relax.
- Provide plenty of hay (this is not the time to keep them on a “1 flake per night” diet even if I DID follow that philosophy) and other distractions to keep your horse focused on eating and occupied
- Spend time with them. Do chores, clean tack, sit quietly with them.
- Try using the pompom earplugs
- Double check that wherever your horse is staying during the fireworks is safe without obvious hazards (We know they’ll invent them anyway so take away the easy ones)
- Horses feed off your body language and feelings…they know how you feel sometimes before you even do. Try to keep yourself neutral and calm.
If you are having a serious problem with your horse over-reacting to fireworks (or your horse reacting to you reacting)…or your neighbor being insensitive…consider having a conversation with your vet WELL OVER A WEEK before the fireworks begin. Your vet may be able to help with supplementation or medication in order to keep your equine friend (and you) more relaxed. Don’t wait until the day of, don’t expect to be the only person asking the day before either. Plan ahead, you know it’s coming. Also consider not waiting until it is a problem, be proactive, and have a plan for “just in case” especially if you have a new environment, new stable, new horse, etc.
Stalls are not an option at my house. My horses have acres of pasture and there is a fireworks display located at the school nearby. Most summer nights I can hear the announcer of their football games clearly over their speakers…so we are quite close to the fireworks. We also have neighbors that love setting elaborate private displays. I make sure to check in on my horses a couple times…before the fireworks start, during the fireworks, and after the fireworks. I will bring treats and give them love.
For the most part, the horses barely even lift their heads when the fireworks go off. The occasional big blast will elicit a head raise, and then grazing usually continues a second later.
I feel that my fondness for fireworks gives me an added benefit. I could be wrong, but I don’t stress about fireworks and the warmth and calm I am able to keep inside of me is experienced by my animals. The horses don’t mind, and the dogs get a bit startled but calm down once I acknowledge them and their concerns. They stay close to me but are not running to hide. My attitude and peace must count for something with these creatures who are incredibly perceptive to our heartrates and energy.
I am going to keep this mostly focused on horses, but for other animals you can also discuss with your vet. Thunder-shirts/compressive clothing can soothe dogs. Keep them inside the house, especially if there is a room without windows. Stay calm. Play music. Create a den/safe place for dogs to hide. Stay calm and relaxed.
What is your relationship with the 4th of July? With fireworks?
Do you have animals that hate fireworks? How do you help them cope?
Happy 4th of July Friends!
The Green Horseman 
Leave a comment