Newsdate: October 26, 2020, 7:00 am
Location: GILROY, California

With active pandemic conditions across the country, Halloween 2020 will most likely differ from previous years in the amount of trick or treating and general Halloween celebrations. However, in some areas, Halloween will be a festive time with costumes, tricks and treats, and revelry for young and old.

Protecting your horse from Halloween spooks

Noise and costumes that go with Halloween festivities can lead to injuries to Halloween revelers and horses when horses are surprised by trick or treaters.
© 2012 by Sarah Rachel New window.

For well-trained horses that are used to people, crowds, and excitement, all may be well, but for other horses, Halloween is a spooky time that may cause the horse to also spook.

The following tips are suggested and recommended by animal shelters and veterinarians designed to keep horses and other pets safe on Halloween.

1. Trick or treaters can cause loud and excessive noise and frighten your horse, especially if it is exposed to general traffic going through the area, so put your horse in a barn or sheltered area where it is insulated from Halloween activities. With many people visiting the area in strange attire, even a normally calm horse may spook.
2. If you plan on joining the trick or treat revelers on your horse, make sure that it is trained to accept unusual noises along with abrupt movements of costumed people who may appear threatening, especially as darkness approaches and strange lights appear carried by trick or treaters.
3. Decorating for Halloween is fun and colorful, but be careful with lit pumpkins and candles. if they are on walkways or near paths that horses will be on, they could either spook the horse or the horse might knock them over and start a fire. This is especially dangerous if they are near hay, the barn or stable area where a fire could quickly get out of control.
4. If you are going to dress up your horse for Halloween, avoid costumes held in place by rubber bands, which can be uncomfortable and cause skin irritation or injury.
5. If your horse wears a costume, make sure it won't cause your horse to trip. Also make sure it won't block the horse's vision. Do not force your horse to wear a costume if it demonstrates discomfort with the idea.
6. Make sure that your horse is secure during the Halloween festivities. Pranksters sometimes let horses and other animals out, just for the fun of it. Others have been known to tease, abduct, and torture unprotected animals under cover of Halloween darkness.