Fireworks rarely begin and end with a single night. Across the UK, the weeks surrounding Halloween and Bonfire Night on 5 November can bring unexpected bangs and flashes, with celebrations often continuing through to New Year's Eve. For owners of dogs and horses, this can mean weeks of uncertainty, as familiar sounds are interrupted by sudden, unpredictable noise. Whether it's a dog trembling and seeking somewhere to hide or a horse becoming unsettled in its stable or field, fireworks can turn an otherwise ordinary evening into a stressful experience for animals and their owners alike.
When we think about fireworks stress in dogs and horses, we tend to focus on the fear and anxiety they experience. But the physical effects often receive far less attention. A frightened animal may spend hours bracing its body, trembling, pacing or attempting to escape, sometimes over several nights in a row. This prolonged tension and heightened state of alertness can take a physical toll, and the effects may become more noticeable in the days that follow.
What Fear Does to the Musculoskeletal System
A sudden bang can trigger the startle reflex before an animal has time to assess whether the noise poses a threat. The sympathetic nervous system activates the body's fight-or-flight response: heart rate and breathing increase, blood flow to the skeletal muscles rises, and muscles tense in preparation for action. Once the perceived threat has passed, the body can gradually return to a calmer state. But fireworks rarely involve a single noise. The bangs come at irregular intervals, often over several hours, repeatedly triggering the stress response and making it difficult for the animal to relax.
One physical consequence can be sustained muscular tension, sometimes referred to as muscle guarding. In dogs, fear may produce a lowered, tucked posture, with the tail held close to the body and the muscles of the back and limbs held tense. Horses may raise their head and neck, brace through their body or make sudden movements as they prepare to flee. Maintaining this heightened state of muscular activity can be tiring, particularly when it continues over several hours or recurs on successive nights. Sudden attempts to escape can also place considerable strain on the musculoskeletal system, increasing the risk of injury.
How a Dog Scared of Fireworks Uses Its Body
A 2020 study analysed video recordings of pet dogs during New Year's Eve fireworks and compared them with footage of the same dogs on a quieter evening. Ears drawn backwards at the base were the strongest behavioural indicator associated with fireworks exposure, while time spent moving around and panting also increased significantly (Gähwiler et al., 2020). That increased activity is particularly interesting from a physical perspective. A dog that spends an evening pacing, repeatedly changing position or retreating into a confined hiding place may be placing additional demands on its muscles and joints, particularly if it already experiences stiffness or discomfort.
Then there are the sudden attempts to escape. A frightened dog may scramble across slippery floors, leap from furniture or squeeze through narrow spaces in an effort to get away from the noise. These abrupt, uncontrolled movements can increase the risk of injury. Dogs with existing musculoskeletal conditions may be particularly vulnerable to discomfort, and there is evidence that pain itself may contribute to noise sensitivity. Research from the University of Lincoln found an association between musculoskeletal pain and fear of loud noises, suggesting that physical discomfort may play a role in how some dogs respond to fireworks (Lopes Fagundes et al., 2018).
When Noise Sensitivity and Pain Feed Each Other
A small study compared noise-sensitive dogs with and without identified musculoskeletal pain. In dogs with pain, noise sensitivity had developed almost four years later in life on average, and their avoidance behaviours extended more widely to places associated with frightening noises. The researchers suggested that the muscle tension triggered by a sudden startle response could aggravate existing pain, causing the dog to associate the noise with physical discomfort (Lopes Fagundes et al., 2018). With just ten dogs in each group, the findings are preliminary, but they highlight an important consideration. A dog that has coped with fireworks for years and suddenly starts to panic deserves a check for pain, which we cover in more detail in our guide to the subtle signs of musculoskeletal pain in dogs.
Horses and Fireworks: Flight, Fences and Injury
Horses are built to run first and assess later, and the research reflects that. In a New Zealand survey covering more than 4,700 horses, owners rated close to four in five as anxious or very anxious around fireworks. Running was the most commonly reported reaction, identified by 82% of respondents. Just over a third reported horses breaking through fences, and 26% reported injuries linked to fireworks, most commonly lacerations, followed by strains and sprains, with some horses suffering broken limbs (Gronqvist, Rogers and Gee, 2016).
The risks are not necessarily confined to a single night. Fireworks may continue over several evenings, exposing horses to repeated episodes of fear and the possibility of injury. In the UK, autumn conditions can add to these concerns. A horse startled into galloping across wet, uneven ground or making a sudden turn near a churned-up gateway may be at greater risk of slipping, losing its footing or sustaining a musculoskeletal injury. The combination of an instinctive flight response, unpredictable noise and challenging ground conditions makes fireworks a particular concern for horse owners.
The Stabled Horse Is Not Always Safer
Bringing horses in may seem the obvious response, and over half the owners in the New Zealand survey had tried stabling or yarding their horses. However, around 30% reported that the management strategies they had tried were ineffective (Gronqvist, Rogers and Gee, 2016). A horse that would normally respond to fear by moving away may instead box-walk, spin or kick at the walls. Repeated turning and sudden movements in a confined space can place additional demands on the muscles and joints, while attempts to escape may result in injury. Whether a particular horse copes better in or out depends on its temperament, familiar routine, companions and the safety of its surroundings. The owner who knows the horse best is often in the strongest position to judge which environment is likely to be less stressful.
Signs to Look For the Morning After
For dogs, pay attention to how they get up and move after resting. Stiffness on rising, reluctance to use stairs or jump into the car, a quieter mood or flinching when touched along the back or neck can all indicate discomfort. These signs may become noticeable after a stressful night, although they are not necessarily caused by fireworks. Check the paws and nails too, as frantic scrabbling or attempts to escape can result in torn nails, cuts or other injuries.
For horses, begin by observing how they stand and move naturally. Check each leg for heat, swelling or cuts, and look for any unusual sensitivity along the neck and back. If the horse appears comfortable and there is no suspicion of injury, observing it walking in hand on firm, level, non-slip ground may help reveal changes in movement. Reluctance to move, unusual stiffness, a shortened stride or resistance to bending can all be signs of discomfort. Avoid riding or trotting up a horse if an injury is suspected. Any lameness, significant swelling, deep wound or obvious pain warrants prompt veterinary attention. Even subtler changes that persist or seem unusual for that animal deserve investigation rather than being dismissed as an after-effect of fireworks.
Preparing Ahead of Halloween and Bonfire Night
Knowing which nights are likely to be noisy makes a real difference. For dogs, that means walking before dusk, checking that gates, doors and garden fences are secure, and making sure microchip details are up to date in case they escape. A covered den in a quiet room, introduced well in advance, can give a frightened dog somewhere safe to retreat. Closing the curtains and playing familiar background music may also help reduce the impact of sudden bangs and flashes. For a dog with severe noise fear, the conversation with the vet about appropriate support belongs in early October, not on Halloween night itself.
For horses, walk the fence line and clear anything a panicking horse could run into. Decide in advance whether each horse is better staying in or out, maintain familiar companionship and routines, and ensure appropriate forage is available. Avoid hacking around dusk on evenings when fireworks are expected. A frightened horse may react suddenly and unpredictably, so owners should never put themselves in the path of an animal attempting to flee. Keeping people safe is just as important as protecting the horse from injury.
Where Osteopathy Fits After Fireworks Season
Osteopathy does not cure a fear of fireworks. Noise phobia is primarily a veterinary and behavioural concern, with management often involving behaviour modification alongside veterinary support. Where osteopathy may have a role is in assessing the physical effects that can accompany prolonged fear or sudden attempts to escape: lingering muscular tension, stiffness following a slip or changes in movement as an animal compensates for discomfort. Working alongside veterinary care, an animal osteopath can assess mobility, muscular tension and how different parts of the body are functioning together.
There is also the relationship running in the other direction. The links between anxiety, sympathetic nervous system activation and muscular tension in horses, and the potential role of manual therapy in managing associated physical discomfort, are explored in an LCAO graduate thesis on osteopathy and equine anxiety. An approach such as Osteopathic Articular Balancing (OAB) considers movement and function throughout the body rather than focusing solely on one area of discomfort. This whole-body perspective may be particularly relevant when an animal shows changes in posture or movement following a stressful experience. For older dogs and horses, or animals showing persistent stiffness or discomfort after fireworks, a veterinary assessment is a sensible first step. Where appropriate, osteopathic care can then form part of a wider approach to musculoskeletal health.
Looking Beyond the Fear
Fireworks can affect dogs and horses in ways that extend beyond the immediate fear of loud noises. The physical demands of prolonged tension, restless movement and sudden attempts to escape are easy to overlook, particularly once the noise has stopped and an animal appears calmer. Paying attention to changes in posture, movement and behaviour in the days that follow can help owners recognise when something isn't quite right. Because for some animals, the fireworks may not be the only thing they are bracing against.
References
Gähwiler, S., Bremhorst, A., Tóth, K., & Riemer, S. (2020). Fear expressions of dogs during New Year fireworks: a video analysis. Scientific Reports, 10, 16035.
Gronqvist, G., Rogers, C., & Gee, E. (2016). The management of horses during fireworks in New Zealand. Animals, 6(3), 20.
Lopes Fagundes, A. L., Hewison, L., McPeake, K. J., Zulch, H., & Mills, D. S. (2018). Noise sensitivities in dogs: an exploration of signs in dogs with and without musculoskeletal pain using qualitative content analysis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5, 17.
British Horse Society. (2025). Fireworks. The British Horse Society.
Gerow, S. L., Clegg, S. R., & Cooke, A. S. (2026). Horse and donkey owners’ perspectives on fireworks and their impact on equids in the UK. Animal Welfare, 35, e11.
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