How To: Keep Your Horse Safe on July 4th

   The Fourth of July is such an awesome holiday, and many of us spend it enjoying loved ones, BBQ's, s'mores and of course, fireworks! With it being such a fun holiday, many times it's not so enjoyable for our equine friends. I have heard horror stories of horses out in their fields being shot with fireworks. Some people are just terrible and many times too much alcohol clouds their judgement. So, here are a few steps you can take to keep your horse safe this Fourth of July!

   1) Short supervised turnout. People start lighting off fireworks pretty early on the 4th, so be sure to watch your horses in case they start getting too scared and running frantically.
   2) Take the day off from riding. For the same reasons, keep you and your horse safe and take the day off from your riding schedule. No one needs to get bucked off because a firework goes screaming into the sky!
   3) Are you planning on being away from the barn all day? Just leave your horse in it's stall for the day. Just make sure they have enough hay and most horses will be satisfied to spend just one day in their stall. 

   Please, it's better be safe than sorry! Take care of your horse and Happy Fourth of July!!!