Horses killed by lightning

[missy8605]

Just thought I'd add in response to the articel in H&H, that four horses were killed by lightning in a field in Surrey on Nov 30th, that my pony was killed by lightning while she was out in her field on Nov 17th, in Bittaford near Ivybridge in Devon. She had 'bilateral scorch marks radiating from the front legs diagonally across the thorax' as the vet wrote. Otherwise there were no marks on her, and her rug was not marked either. It is believed that lightning struck the ground close to where she was stood grazing, and travelled up her front legs. She didn't know anything about it. The vet also said he had seen 'very few, perhaps 6 or 7' cases like this in his career of over 25 years. 'Freedom' was 16 years old, and a fun loving family pony in perfect health. She was on loan to a young girl as a confidence giver at the time of her death. The word used was 'tragic'.

 

[sojeph]

I'm very sorry to hear that - tragic indeed.

 

[ladylisa]

Oh that is very sad.

 

[brightmount]

That's a beautiful name for a horse.

 

[LEC]

A horse down the road from me was killed by lightening was a bit of a shock for owner but best way to die as really knew nothing about it. Think its more common than people imagine.

 

[truffles]

tragic - my heart goes out to people involved.

I hope the horse did not suffer.

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Thats so sad, i am very sorry.
13-14 Years ago my neighbours two horses, a stunning,champion cob mare and her filly foal were struck dead by lightening one night, i have always been very scared of lightening in terms of my horse since then, so tragic

 

[KatB]

Havent known a horse be struck, but a farm/livery yard near us found a cow dead struck by lightening one morning. Makes you paranoid about leaving them out in thunder storms.

 

[brighteyes]

I never leave mine out in thunder storms. I drag them in PDQ and go and hide under the table til it's safe!

 

[priroc]

As the owner of one of the ponies killed by lightning strike a question was raised regarding whether they had been standing round a metal hay feeder. The answer is no they weren't. Please go to 'Don't use metal cattle type hay feeders in fields' to get my complete reply.

Perhaps a classic case of chinese whispers?

 

[suns]

I am so sorry for your loss how awful.

 

[MagicMelon]

How awful. Every owners worst nightmare.

I know two people who've lost horses to lightning in the past few years - I now take all my horses in during storms and stay out with them.