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Fireworks are widely used in the United Kingdom to mark
celebrations such as Bonfire
Night and New Year's Eve. While
these displays are enjoyable for many people, they can create significant
challenges for animal welfare. Research has long shown that fireworks can cause
stress and fear in companion animals such as dogs and cats, but comparatively
little attention has been given to their effects on equids.
A study by Stephanie Gerow and colleagues at the University of Lincoln aimed to address this gap by investigating how fireworks affect horses and donkeys in the UK.
The researchers conducted an anonymous online survey of equid owners aged 18 and over. In total, 1,234 horse owners and 232 donkey owners participated. The survey explored three main areas: how horses and donkeys respond to fireworks, what strategies owners use to reduce their impact, and owners’ opinions about firework use.
Horses are prey animals with a strong instinct for flight when faced with sudden or threatening stimuli. Loud, unpredictable noises such as fireworks can therefore trigger intense fear responses. Owners commonly reported behaviours such as running, kicking, bucking, and rearing. These reactions can be dangerous because frightened horses may attempt to escape from fields or stables, sometimes trying to jump fences or climb over stable doors. In severe cases, horses may injure themselves, other horses, or nearby people. Escaping horses can also pose a serious risk to road users if they enter nearby roads.
In the survey, eight percent of horse owners reported that their horse had suffered an injury associated with fireworks. Importantly, these injuries were usually indirect. They were caused by the horse’s reaction to the noise and lights rather than the fireworks themselves. Tragically, incidents involving fireworks have occasionally resulted in the death of horses after they panic and attempt to escape their environment.
Donkeys, in contrast, appeared to show fewer extreme responses according to owner reports. Only one donkey injury was reported in the survey. Researchers suggested that this difference may be related to the behavioural strategies used by the two species. Horses often respond to fear with a “flight or fight” reaction, which involves rapid movement and increases the risk of injury. Donkeys, however, may be more likely to adopt a “freeze” response when faced with a frightening stimulus. This behaviour may reduce the likelihood of injury, although it does not necessarily mean that donkeys experience less fear.
The survey also found that the type of horse may influence perceived reactions to fireworks. Horses used for hunting or competitive sport were generally reported to be less fearful than other horses. This may reflect differences in training, handling, or regular exposure to noisy environments.
Owners reported using a range of strategies to reduce the effects of fireworks on their animals. Common approaches included stabling horses during firework displays, remaining with the animal to provide reassurance, moving the animal to a different location away from fireworks, and playing music to mask sudden noises. Many owners also emphasised the importance of keeping animals in secure, well-lit environments with minimal hazards that could cause injury if the animal becomes frightened.
Although owners often considered these strategies effective, they are not always able to prevent stress or injury completely. Many of these measures also rely on advance warning of fireworks, which is not always available when displays are organised privately.
Most respondents (77%) supported tighter regulations on fireworks, particularly restrictions on when they can be used and reductions in their maximum noise levels. Overall, the findings highlight fireworks as a potential welfare concern for horses and, to a lesser extent, donkeys. Understanding how equids respond to loud and unpredictable stimuli is therefore an important part of equine management and welfare.
For more details, see:
Gerow SL, Clegg SR, Cooke AS.
Horse and donkey owners' perspectives on fireworks and their impact on equids in the UK.
Anim Welf. (2026) 35:e11.
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