The public are being urged not to let off fireworks or sky lanterns when taking part in the weekly “clap for carers” campaign.
Emergency services and horse owners are among those who have raised concerns about fireworks being let off on Thursday evenings at 8pm. The weekly campaign was started to show appreciation for key workers and NHS staff and volunteers helping through the Covid-19 pandemic.
An event rider based in Bedfordshire told H&H how her horses, who were turned out at the time, have been startled by fireworks being set off.
“No one was injured this time but it only takes one horse to be frightened and run through a fence, then you could be dealing with an injury – or a broken leg. Who knows what could happen?,” said the rider.
“If someone gets trampled and needs an ambulance because of it, you’re defeating the purpose.”
The rider added many NHS staff and key workers own horses themselves.
“The last thing they want to do is come home after a shift and find their horse has injured itself because someone has let off fireworks,” she said.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“Everybody wants to show support for the NHS because they’re doing a fantastic job – but there are better ways of showing it.”
Fire services and police forces have used social media to urge the public to stick to clapping.
“Can we please remind you to not let fireworks off. Please continue to support #clapforcarers, the NHS and key workers by not setting them off,” said Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Services.
“Resources are needed to support our colleagues on the front line in combatting Covid-19.”
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We know everyone wants to show their appreciation for key workers, especially NHS at this time, but please don’t use sky laterns or fireworks, which can be dangerous or upsetting for people, property, and animals.
“Why not hang up some rainbow banners instead?”
St Albans Police, of Hertfordshire Constabulary, was among those to remind the public that fireworks and sky lanterns can cause fires where they land, harming property and wildlife.
We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
