01/11/2026
Having lost my exracer Maz in 2018 after she had an accident panicking in her stable at fireworks set off only about 100 yards away from her stable by an inconsiderate household at New Year 😔 they've been tainted for me ever since...
Thankfully my cats aren't overly phased by them
I have just had a look at the camera in my stables now and by chance have just seen them react to nearby ones going off. Nutmeg was actually laid down when they started and jumped up but didn't "panic" however she was then unsettled, 💩ing a lot and looking over the wall to see Franny for reassurance (who thankfully couldn't care less!) and moving round her stable a lot. It took her a good 10+ minutes to settle enough to rest a back leg
I will probably opt to leave them out now instead until after bonfire night - as I originally planned - as I feel they are more relaxed in open space
But its very hard to know whats best to do
"That morning has stayed with us. It has changed our lives forever."
For Hannah and her family, the impact of fireworks goes far beyond a single night.
King, Hannah's foal was frightened by fireworks that were set off too close to him. Tragically, he ran to his paddock and died after injuring himself on farm machinery. Hannah's children saw the devastating aftermath.
Reflecting on what happened, Hannah said:
"Fireworks may last only a few minutes, but their consequences can be devastating and lifelong for horses, other animals and the people who care for them."
"We know that fireworks cannot simply be removed from society overnight, but we believe there is a real need for stronger legislation, greater consideration for animal welfare and a more responsible approach to when, where and how fireworks are used."
Today, Hannah is sharing King's story to help raise awareness and support change.
"We cannot allow King's death to be just another tragic story. We want to turn our loss into something that can make a difference, raise awareness of the dangers horses face and help drive meaningful change. If sharing King's story helps prevent even one other family from suffering a similar loss, then we will have given his life a lasting legacy."
Every year, horses, owners and yards are affected by fireworks. By planning ahead, communicating locally and considering animal welfare, we can all play a part in reducing the risks.
📲 Learn more about fireworks and how to record them in the Horse i app ➡️ https://bit.ly/3KR1TiG
