Yes, it is almost here, 2024! We are so looking forward to it and hopefully so are you. But the horses are getting a little less happy about all the fireworks. All horse lovers try to shoot off fireworks as far away from their horses as possible, but sometimes that may not help. In this blog, read all about how to deal with your horse's fireworks stress.
Horses and fireworks
By nature, a horse is a flight animal, this is difficult when your horse is in the box during New Year's Eve. If the fireworks are at a distance, most horses are not afraid. Still, there are horses, who get anxious at times like this. But what can you do against your horse's fireworks stress...? We have some tips for you, so that your horse, too, goes into 2024 happy!
1. How do you recognise a horse that is stressed?
Perhaps the most important thing to know, is your horse stressed and how do you recognise stress in a horse? Every horse shows its stress in a different way. With fireworks stress, your horse experiences acute stress, this is short-term and your horse reacts to a 'dangerous' situation. But how do you recognise that your horse is suffering from acute stress?
There are several symptoms that indicate your horse is stressed for example; flight behaviour, horses are flight animals and when they hear bangs from fireworks, the first thing they want to do is flee. Your horse may also experience increased heart rate and breathing, your horse is nervous. There is a possibility that your horse will start sweating and trembling from the acute stress. Lastly, it is also possible that your horse will manure and urinate more often, this is because the acute stress affects the digestive system and kidneys.
2. Don't behave differently than you normally would
You know that fireworks are coming and may frighten your horse. Because something you already know is coming, there is a chance that you will behave differently. You should not do this. A horse likes structure, especially at times like this your horse likes to keep that structure in place. That extra bit of attention, by talking to your horse or petting your horse can make your horse feel familiar. There is otherwise a chance that your horse will want to flee or freeze in this tense situation due to its natural survival mechanism. Touching your horse and giving it extra attention creates increased oxytocin levels in the body, which can reduce stress.
In short, a little bit of extra love can go a long way if you wish your horse a happy new year too!
3. Do you keep your horse inside or outside?
Every horse reacts differently at New Year's Eve. Whether the horse should be inside or outside is different for each horse. A horse is a flight animal by nature. It is therefore useful to take the necessary safety measures so that it is no longer a problem. If the horse is outside, it is useful not to have barbed wire as a fence. It is also wise to create a quiet outdoor area. If your horse is inside, it is useful to close the hatch to the outside. That way, you can try to limit the (indoor) impact of the loud bangs and perhaps even the stray flare.
4. Distract your horse
Your horse will enjoy being distracted at that moment. We have some tips for you, which should provide enough distraction:
- Give your horse some extra roughage, possibly in a slow feeder. This way, you extend the time your horse is eating.
- Turn on the radio, this will make sure your horse hears the bangs less loudly.
- To distract your horse, you can also put toys in the box, this reduces the focus on the fireworks.
- The last tip we have for you is to leave the lights on inside and outside the stable. This will make your horse see the flashes less badly.
5. Stay with your horse
After 12 o'clock, the fireworks are of course at their worst. If you can, be in the stable with your horse. This way you can quickly reassure your horse if he really panics.
6. Supplements for a calmer horse
There are several calming supplements available that will help reduce your horse's fireworks stress. When doing so, do not forget to take the measures described above as well.
We have listed our top 3 calming supplements for you:
Sectolin Nervo Paste contains magnesium, which calms the horse. It also contains a mixture of different herbs, which has an influence on the horse's good mood. Because fireworks can cause stress in horses, it also contains L-Tryptophan, which plays an important role in reducing stress.
Natural and calming support during stress situations like moving, transport or competitions. The ChillPill is developed on the basis of Agaricus subrufescens mushrooms, which has a strong immune system stimulating effect and is proven to be extremely calming for horses in situations of stress, just like during fireworks.
Is a handy injector for a calm and focused horse in acute stress situations, due to the unique combination of calming herbs and high concentration of magnesium.
7. Are those days of training useful?
If your horse is extremely skittish, we recommend simply to hold off with riding, give yourself and your horse a few days' rest.