Do your customers have problems with fireworks? If so, you’ll want to read this…
When autumn rolls around, many horse owners become increasing twitchy about fireworks. What used to be a 5th November occurrence is now an autumn long extravaganza that can see the sky light up (and all the associated noise), from end of October through to New Year. For most horses and their owners, it’s a very stressful season.
But now, the equestrian community and everyone else who doesn’t enjoy fireworks has the opportunity to make their feelings heard as the UK government has officially launched a 12-week public consultation on fireworks regulations. This gives horse owners a direct platform to speak up before the consultation closes on October 8th. Here is why this consultation matters to the equestrian community, and why your customers could want to hear about it.
Loud Fireworks = Real Loss
We know that horses are prey animals and, when they are frightened, they can cause themselves serious injury and damage property and people too.
The statistics around firework related injuries make sobering reading, giving a clearer idea of just how big the problem is:
- Losses: Data collected by the British Horse Society reveals that at least 28 horses have died in fireworks-related incidents over the last five years, with many more going unrecorded.
- Impact: In a survey of over 5,000 UK horse owners conducted by Redwings Horse Sanctuary, more than two-thirds reported direct experience of a horse in their care being impacted by fireworks.
- Human Danger: That same Redwings survey found that in 10% of those cases, a handler or owner was also injured by a distressed horse.
- Debris: Beyond the noise and light, firework casings and sharp debris regularly land in paddocks and hay fields, creating hidden hazards long after the noise stops.
What the Government Consultation Involves
The government's proposals include plans to review and strengthen current regulations, specifically looking at reducing the maximum noise level allowed for consumer fireworks sold to the general public.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary has been championing this movement through their Keep Horses in Mind campaign. They have long advocated for reducing the maximum decibel limit for consumer fireworks from 120 decibels down to 90 decibels. Lowering the volume of loud, sudden explosions should significantly reduce panic among horses, livestock, pets, and wildlife while still allowing professional displays to take place safely.
In the Redwings survey, over 95% of horse owners stated they wanted to see tighter fireworks regulation. If you’re one of these people, or you think your customers are, don’t miss your chance to make your voice heard.
How You Can Take Action Before October 8th
If you want to find out more about this and how you can, potentially, impact the sale of fireworks going forward (or you want to make your customers aware of the opportunity to have their voices heard), you can find out all you need here… https://ditresearch.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eg0jcixPsRnv1NY