Fireworks and horses: how to keep them safe on Bonfire Night

Find out what's happening nearby

The biggest single thing you can do is know when and where. Ask neighbours, local farms and the village or club organising any display, and ask them to give you a heads-up of the timing. Most people are happy to oblige, and it lets you choose a plan rather than react to the first bang. Remember that private fireworks are common across the whole of the first week of November and again around New Year and Diwali, not just on the 5th.

Stabled or turned out?

There isn't one right answer; it depends on your horse and your yard. The common thread in advice from vets and welfare charities is to keep the horse somewhere familiar and safe, and to avoid changing the routine more than you have to.

• Stabled: usually the safer choice for a horse that's likely to panic in a field. Make sure there's plenty of hay or haylage to keep them occupied, and that the stable door and bolts are secure.
• Turned out: only if the fencing is sound and the field is away from the likely firework area. A horse that bolts in a poorly fenced field is the scenario to avoid.
• Settled horses: a horse that is used to being stabled and is calm should stay in their normal routine, with a companion in view.

Before the night

• Walk the fence line and gateways of any field they'll be in, and check for loose wire or weak spots.
• Check that your contact details are visible on the yard and that your vet's out-of-hours number is to hand.
• Make sure rugs fit securely and head collars are well fitted, and avoid anything that could snag.
• Talk to your vet well ahead of time if your horse has been very reactive before. Don't wait until the night to ask about calming options.

On the night

• Stay with your horse if you can, or have someone experienced on the yard. Stay calm yourself; they take their cue from you.
• Keep the lights on in the yard or stable, and consider a radio at a steady volume to mask sudden noise.
• Close the top door or curtains only if your horse is used to it. A horse that can see out is often calmer than one that can only hear.
• Don't ride, lunge or handle them close to a display, and don't take a nervous horse out on the road in the evening.

If something goes wrong

If a horse gets out, call your yard owner and neighbours first, then the police on 101 so a loose horse on a road is reported. If anyone is hurt or there is an immediate danger, call 999. Make sure your horse's details and your contact number are easy to find so you can act quickly.

Keep the dates in one place

Bonfire Night is one date. The rest of the year is vet dates, farrier visits, worming and a rug for every kind of weather. MyGroom keeps the care calendar for each horse in one place and reminds you before things are due, so a busy week like this one doesn't push the routine jobs aside.