25 June 2025

Anna and Leon's fireworks experience

A photo of Leon, a cob stood in a grass field.

Leon in his field during the day.

What’s it like to see your horse terrified by fireworks? In this short film, Anna explains what it was like when a loud fireworks display was let off close to the livery yard where she cares for her horse Leon.

Fireworks are becoming more popular at any time of year, meaning the risk to the horses, other animals and humans who can be negatively affected by them is increasing.

Many people who enjoy fireworks simply don’t realise that the same display that is providing them with an enjoyable experience may be having a very different impact on others in the surrounding area.

'The fear behind the cheer' video.

We know that Anna and Leon’s experience is far from unusual. In Redwings’ special Fireworks and Horses survey (PDF 780 KB), more than two thirds of respondents had experience of their own horse being upset by fireworks. Sadly, in some of these cases the outcome was far worse than it was for Leon and his companions, with horses reported as becoming ill, injured, escaping or even dying because of the stress caused by a nearby display. Three of Redwings’ own rescued residents tragically lost their lives in fireworks-related incidents since 2014.

We hope that by hearing Anna and Leon’s story and understanding that not everyone enjoys fireworks, and that the effect of fireworks doesn’t stop as soon as a display is over, more people will Keep Horses In Mind when planning or attending an event.

To find out more and get involved in Redwings’ Keep Horses In Mind campaign, simply go to our horses and fireworks webpage.