The Fourth of July means barbeques, parades, and, for horse owners in certain neighborhoods, nervous anticipation of their horses’ reactions to the inevitable flashes of light and deafening noise of fireworks. Preparing for the onslaught might require some planning and training time, according to Lexington, Ky., Mounted Police Officer Lisa Rakes.

"There’s nothing like the real thing," Rakes noted, but with careful training before, as well as judicious management on the day of the pyrotechnic event, the reactions can hopefully be minimized. 

Rakes advised horse owners to train their horses to associate fireworks with something pleasant–a mouthful of grain or a favorite treat.

"I would get some fireworks and start them at distance away, where they’re not that loud," Rakes said. "As soon as the fireworks go off, you immediately reward him with something positive. Do that until it gets to the point that when the fireworks go off, he’s not jumping. After you get to that point, then you can start maybe moving them a little closer, or as close as you think fireworks might go off for the farm you’re at