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Discussion on Lightening Strike
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timothy miller
Member
Username: Tpmiller
Post Number: 27
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 11:02 am: |   |
Past Wednesday lost a beautiful colt to lightening and severely injured mare.
Large ulcerated right eye, flaccid right side mouth, ataxia (wobbly legs), and huge puncture wound of right foreleg above elbow extending upwards at least 6 inches. Vets do not believe the latter was directly caused by the lightening, believe she did it to herself. Mare presented as having a stroke at first glance.
Colt died instantly, unmarked. Absolutely no evidence of lightening strike on or around tree they were under, presumed struck from ground up.
To keep mare hydrated, (she was tubed 1st two days), gave her water run off that had been soaked in beet pulp. Over 48 hours we advanced to offering more beet pulp with the water. When I saw her take loose salt from stall container, proceeded to add electrolytes to her very wet mash.
Used a wide tub elevated to feed, seemed to make swallowing easier. Given fresh cut grass and moistened separated hay to avoid choke.
Monitored heart rate and gut sounds, as well as water and feed intake and evidence of peeing and pooping.
She received steroids and antibiotics via IM. Right eye treated frequently to maintain moisture. Cefa Lak inserted into puncture daily, obviously keeping wound clean, free of insects.
Yesterday, 1st time out of stall in small grassy enclosed paddock. Wobbly at first. Alone, could see other horses. She actually did a slow 10 yard trot. She later fell on her right once, got back up. Rolled and scratched back, able to get up. She continues to drool out of right side mouth, but had adapted well to eating on one side, now drops almost no feed.
Our first foal. A top Arabian mare who has won on the flat track and endurance by age 8. Her prognosis is good, although the nerve damage will take a long time to regenerate. She had been re-bred, we will ascertain status at a later date.
One tends to blame oneself after such a tragedy, I was not home at the time. Grief for that wonderful colt was overwhelming, but needed to concentrate on saving the mare.
Certainly hope no one ever experiences this, could not find any pertinent topic, thought it would help to discuss survivors of lightening. |
Susan Jeys
Member
Username: Sjeys
Post Number: 39
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 11:39 am: | |
I'm so sorry to hear about your colt. What a terrible tragedy. I noticed you are in Pennsylvania and was surprised at the lightning issue, though of course it could happen anywhere. I expected this in Florida and New Mexico, where those states get the most lightning strikes. Hopefully someone will have some experience here to share. I hope your mare does well; what a sad time for her to recover from something so devastating. It sounds like you are taking great care of her.
I always used to wonder (when I lived in NM) if I should put them in the barn during the lightning storms...I never did and guess I was very lucky. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 1397
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 11:40 am: | |
I am so sorry!! What a dreadful thing. I wonder how common an occurance this is? I have friends outside of Atlanta that years ago lost four horses due to lightening. It hit a big tree in their pasture, and ran down the roots through the ground to the horses.
I don't know where you live, but where we are fierce summer storms blow up out of no where very quickly. If you aren't at home to hurridly get horses in, there's nothing you can do.
I hope your mare recovers fully. I know it will take a long time. We had a mare with severe nerve damage from a kick, and it took almost a year for her to recover, and she ever after had a lip that drooped on one side. However, she went on to produce some beautiful foals for us.
Lightening is probably my biggest fear -although I do enjoy sitting safely on the deck watching the storms in the distance. I've been out riding a couple of times and had storms blow up. Very scary to have strikes hitting the peaks around you while you are huddling in a low spot or running for the trailer. With the mountains and trees, you just don't see them coming at times.
What is your mare's breeding out of curiosity? |
Holly Wood
Member
Username: Hwood
Post Number: 1225
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 11:58 am: | |
Hey, Tim. A sad thing for you. We can't keep our horses in padded cells, though, and I doubt you could have forseen the lightning storm. It was always a worry for a friend of mine who didn't have a run-in barn. If she put the horses out in the morning, they'd have to stay out while she was at work. Even if they had HAD shelter, most of the time, I bet the horses would have chosen to stand out in the storm.
In Vermont, there is lots of ledge under the soil, and lightning will often hit ledge and travel. Many times one hears of a few cows that did while standing in a puddle at the gate, or of horses that get struck and killed.
Last July, right after we bought the farm in Kansas, we visited there and were "wowed" by a terrific thunder/lightning/wind/rain/hail storm. ("Gee," we were assured, "we haven't had a storm like this in over three years!!!") The next morning, we were told that 2 of the 3 horses owned by a friend's nephew had been struck and killed.
I don't know of many animals that have survived a lightning strike. You sound as if you are right "on top of things" with your mare. I hope she makes a full recovery and that she is able to carry a healthy foal to term. (Maybe it will be a very special foal with super powers  and will amaze everyone at the track.) |
timothy miller
Member
Username: Tpmiller
Post Number: 28
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 12:16 pm: | |
They had access to a large stall in barn. According to a resident on the property, the storm came up quickly, mom, son and half-sister apparently chose to wait it out under a tree.
When I came home, about 8 hours afterward, the mare and her half sister were in the barn, I knew the colt was gone immediately.
Patriot Games (Patriot Missle x Wikings Dream) her sole grandfather was Wiking.
Been overwhelmed by folks with sympathy from NE endurance region. It is a tough discipline, lots of good folk who put horse welfare first. Very knowledgeable group, always learning.
Anyone interested in learning more about endurance
www.aerc.org
Most folks started in other disciplines, found endurance and stayed. |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 727
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 12:26 pm: | |
Yes, Florida i have seen a few horses drop and not get up from lightening in pastures and even in the barn. And its so sad, very sudden, and nothing you can do about it. if it hit the ground you would have seen a strike scald somewhere.
I, too have been a little close for comfort to a lightening strike out on the water. boat stopped working, we passed out. had a tingling sensation for weeks. and never felt right for awhile after that. The boat finally did start up again, and we had a heck of time trying to find our way back to the island (we were in marsh harbor/abacos) if the BF i was with wasn't an expert yachtsman, we would've been screwed. Because neither of us knew how long we'd been out. or drifted where? We gathered that the lightening struck close in the water and the boat took the brunt of it. We had on rubber soled shoes and BF said if we had been barefoot we'd probably not been as lucky. I always wonder about that....
Another time i was on trail in dupois park, we were in a group of 15. Lightening struck a tree close by, felled it. The horses spooked and all went nuts running back to the campground. It was wet raining, no visibility. i swear the lightening was chasing us. many horses came back without people. Many people had to go searching for their horse hours later. Not all came back to the site. Not sure what would have been best in that situation either. Its easier to stay on an unruly horse than jump off and drop to the ground. Plus in florida most land is swampy bog. With lightening traveling thru water as a conduit, who knows if the horses felt that instead of spooking from the tree falling.
Even to this day iam totally fascinated with lightening and when i see it in the distance i drop what i am doing and run to the house. I live in lightening alley, i swear. Its always hitting somewhere close by. ALways. But totally stand and watch it. Mesmerized. And feel helpless. I'm not sure whats better. leaving the horse loose to run (because i'm sure it emits an inaudible sound when its coming) or put the horse up in the barn. When it happened to a friend her stall was right under a tree that got hit, she was convinced it was because of the metal shoes on the horse. The horse to the other side was not shod and not killed. Don't know the reality of this.
I have two trees struck by lightening in my yard. Horse was, i guess, far enough away not to be affected. One tree is right in her paddock. the other was in the front yard. both trees weren't the highest tree, but within a cluster of them.
YOU cant miss a tree struck by lightening. There is the oddest line formation that starts a few days after the strike. So go back out and check that tree again. Sometimes its not readily apparent. Well not in my case. It looks like a snake that slithers up around and around the tree, so upon first glance standing in one spot you might not see it. But as you walk around the tree will see the markings. I didn't notice it for awhile. and then one day saw it. From then on it was unmistakeable. But on first glance the tree looked fine. One tree died, one did not.
And i have seen it jump from tree to tree. but normally it hits the highest spot but can also hit the ground as a split off. or even go sideways close to the ground.
They say some people are more electrically charged than others and the lightening can seek that out, if you are close enough to a strike. I bet that same theory could hold true to a horse.
Poor foal, he took the brunt of it, and it probably saved the life of the mare. I wonder if she had a stroke, can you test for that? or she might have some serious nerve damage, but in time will recover. i hope she does well. |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 959
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 12:57 pm: | |
I'm very sorry for your loss, Timothy.
General ataxia and falling down suggest the mare has suffered some brain damage from the strike. I am sure DrO can tell you what the best approach is for a better recovery. |
timothy miller
Member
Username: Tpmiller
Post Number: 29
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 2:44 pm: | |
Christos- Thank you. She responds to her name. This A.M. I again walked her a short ways from stall to paddock, using a loose lead rope around her neck.
An RN and horse person worked on her until the vets arrived, I was despondent and frankly crying. The top dutch door to stall was open, the mare came to me and nuzzled my arm and hair.
After the vets arrived, there was one episode where the mare had an attack, people scattered. None since. Today she is steadier on her feet. She continues the habit of rubbing teeth along the top of a door or gate when she wants out. She is able to step up and down 8" or so entering/exiting stall.
Mentally, she gives the appearance of being intact. My major concern at this point is the extent to which damaged nerves will regenerate. While the eye sustained a large ulcer, am advised it is not deep.
For the record, the mare turned 9 this spring. This was her first pregnancy. |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: Quatro
Post Number: 340
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 3:07 pm: | |
So sorry for your loss. Nature can be so beautiful, and so unkind at times. We have tornadoes here in Iowa, and I always worry about the animals. Many choose to leave their horses out in storms, I put mine away in the barn. The flying debris is more dangerous. You only hope the barn holds up. A neighbors' 2 horses were lifted into the tornado. One came down with a broken leg, the other had a piece of wood sticking out of its shoulder. Both survived but a long road to recovery.
Best wishes to you and your mare for a speedy recovery.
suz |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 960
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 5:33 pm: | |
That sounds very good, Timothy. I think she was very lucky. Do take care to have the stall deeply bedded for a few days, she may still have an attack or two.
Such a strong and courageous girl she is, I wish her a speedy and complete recovery. |
Charlayne Penrose
New Member
Username: Image
Post Number: 5
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 5:34 pm: | |
Timothy, my condolences on your loss. We live just outside of Tampa, Florida and what you are experiencing now is our worst fear. I have seen the strangest things with lightning. I have seen it drop one cow in the middle of a herd and I have seen it follow wire fencing for wires and kill many along the way. The closest I have come (or want to) was when Legacy was a long yearling. I always try to have everyone in the barn before the storms but sometimes it can't be helped. I was late and the storm was just getting here. I ran to the barn to open the doors for the Ladies (my mares) to come in. Leggins was excited and was the last to come in as I swung open an outside door. Just as she was about 10 yards from me and the door, lightning struck the pipe gate 30 yards away. The whole world turned purple in that flash. Scared me so bad I don't know if I went over the dutch door or around it. I just know, I got in the stall just ahead of Legacy. And instinctively ran around the perimeter of the stall to keep from being run over. (she was as scared as I was.) As I came around to the door I ducked back out but she apparently felt she was safer with me and tried to come too. She bumped me hard from behind and I literally flew through the door and landed flat in the mud. I leaped up, slammed the door shut before she could come any further and ran for the house. (Yes, the last part was kinda funny as I look back on it but at the time...wow.) I guess it would have made a great video! I met my husband running towards me, he couldn't believe we were ok as close as the strike was and all the water standing around. Our neighbor who has lived here all his life and saw most of it said we were "2 of the luckiest critters he had ever seen." Although I know it's false security to have them in the barn, I just feel better with them in there than under the big oak they usually stand under. Do not blame yourself, it could have happened no matter what you did or where they were. It's luck of the draw. You are doing a great job with that mare. Nerve damage does take a while to heal just be patient and keep your chin up.
Our best to you and yours
Charlayne |
timothy miller
Member
Username: Tpmiller
Post Number: 30
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 6:21 pm: | |
Vet examined her again today. Very pleased with her progress. She is not concerned about flaccidity of rt. side mouth and ear, confident will come back in time.
Washed and examined the eye, her major concern. There is sight. Size of ulcer has reduced. Need to keep moist, covered with full bonnet flymask, and keeping her from scratching when solution is applied.
She cautioned that two months out, she has seen several who go through an almost post-traumatic syndrome, lose weight, dull coat or lose hair, then recover. They do not know why, but seems consistent with most lightening hit survivors.
Vet proposes ultrasound Monday to check status of early May re-breeding.
I have received lot's of correspondence from people who have lost horses to lightening, had some recover, or both. Including some hit standing in a stall in a barn, through the window. Seems indiscriminate. Shelter with lightening rods seems to be safest.
We can''t bubble wrap these animals, and I want these horses on my hilly pastures as much as possible, but I will pay more attention to the daily weather and have mine in the barn at the slightest hint of thunderstorms.
In the alternative, I wonder how effective rubber overshoes, like tires on a car would be? Some have pointed out the ground here has been very dry for some time, suggesting an increase in conductivity. |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 963
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 6:41 pm: | |
No, no! There's nothing you can do except lightning rods and even those are a questionable solution for a barn.
I promise to explain this in detail tomorrow, it's really late here.
Nice to hear that her eye is functional and she's doing better. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 1398
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 8:59 pm: | |
We had lightening rods on our last barn, and it seemed to me they acted as an attractant to the lightening. We had several strikes too close for comfort. One hit a tree that touched the barn, and two others hit the pipe arena in the middle of the barn (it was a "u" shape.) I was in my office when we had one strike, and the entire arena lit up like neon lights for an instant before the "whole world" just lit up. It was terrifing!
Sounds like your mare is doing good with steady improvement. I hope her ultrasound proves o.k.
Terrific blood lines!!!! Wow!
I have a great friend whose a "mad endurance" person. Her stallion was one of top 5 in the nation at one time. I used to go on training rides with her, and did a lot of trail marking. She talked me into one 25 mi. ride. It was a lot of fun, but, man, was I hungry and tired afterward; unlike my horse, who was in great shape. You guys are a "special breed" of people! |
Lee
Member
Username: Paul303
Post Number: 658
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Jun 5, 2006 - 11:01 pm: | |
I'm one who has lost one to lightning. Many years ago, in 1980, my 14 yr old gelding was on turnout with access to a large pole barn - wooden. He always stayed out in storms, unlike the other 6 he was out with. He was found after the violent thunder storms, lying in the open - with a mouth full of grass. The area was known for the minerals that had been mined long ago and he was shod all around. It appeared that lightning struck nearby and traveled to his feet. He apparently never knew what hit him.
I almost got out of horses because of that...it's been a long time since I thought of that. I'm so very sorry for your loss and I'm ecstatic to hear of your mare's progress - the very best of luck |
DJ
Member
Username: Djws
Post Number: 25
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 6, 2006 - 1:54 am: | |
Tim,
My condolences on the loss of your colt. I can only imagine your grief.
I wish you the best with your mare and will keep you both in my prayers!
I am reluctant to say the I have learned something from your tragic experience (while you are most assuredly hurting), but I have.
I am a first time horse owner and I never thought about bringing my horse to the barn in a storm (for selfish reasons).
I am petrified of wind and lightning. In 1974, I resided in a town (15 miles from my current home) that lost 36 people to a F-5 tornado. I was 21 years old and I remember it as if were yesterday. I was seriously injured, but I survived. The lightning was more horrendous to me than the roar of the tornado. It was paralyzing.
I always feel guilty when it storms because I can't bring myself to cross the large open pasture to get to the barn or to my horse. I shake at the thought of being outside if I hear the rumble of thunder!
Our local horse people support me on this issue (knowing my history) and tell me that wild horses are in storms and survive, and that my horse will be fine. They have told me that lightning striking an equine is quite rare. I know they tell me this to comfort me. Now, I know it happens more often than most of us are aware.
My horse can always get to his stall (24' X 12'-he has room to move if HE is afraid) in the barn, or to his run-in (on his own). Instead, he chooses to stand under his favorite huge oak tree (also the greatest distance from the house) when it storms.
I have remained too "chicken" to coerce him into the barn when a storm is approaching.
This horse has turned my world around. I love him very much. I would do anything for him.
Tim, your heart breaking loss has helped someone. Me.
After reading your narrative, I realize I MUST overcome a fear that I have lived with for 32 years.
In the future, I will make certain that my horse is sheltered from the storms. I won't put either of us in jeopardy but, I will get him to the barn. I realize that lightning can strike the barn, but I feel more harm can come to him in the open.
Some believe that good always springs forth from a sorrowful event. I realize my conquering a fear is not much solace for you but, perhaps, you will find some respite in knowing what I have shared with you.
I know that my family will be grateful that something has finally helped me move forward. Fear is a powerful issue and I have sought professional help through the years for my "storm fears" to no avail.
Because you shared this experience, I believe I will be able to overcome my fear.
I feel the love you have for your horses. Your mare is lucky to have your vigilance.
Having a horse to love and care for is a privilege. My horse, and the horse people I have met (in person and otherwise, i.e., this web site) the past 10 months have truly been a blessing.
This only substantiates the sincere feelings I have that my equine friend was heaven sent.
I know that your colt is at Rainbow Bridge.
My sincere wishes for a speedy recovery for your mare and your shattered heart.
DJ |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 15804
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 6, 2006 - 7:28 am: | |
My condolences Tim and it sounds like you have a good handle on care of the mare.
DJ, I do not nor do I let my family go out and bring in the horses with lightening occurring as this is a good way for them to get hurt...or worse. Bring them in before the storm but once it has started best for you and them to seek shelter.
DrO |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 964
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 6, 2006 - 9:46 am: | |
So, let's see...
First of all, rubber shoes do not protect you from direct strike. Lightning is simply too powerful. I have seen one lightning perforate 20 teflon disks 1" thick, 1m apart from each other. Rubber soles may protect you from the voltage developing on the ground when a lightning strikes very close, but they also insulate you from the ground and any static charge you already carry will not dissipate to the ground. That means that you may be charged better than the tree next to you and you get the treat instead.
The only "electrical" difference between people is skin dryness. Theoretically, dry skin is an advantage as it is a worse conductor and the lightning may actually travel over your skin. But again, dry skin does not conduct well with your clothes to dissipate static electricity, so static buildup may actually attract the lightning to you.
Horses, especially next to the tree that gets hit are in greater danger than humans. Distance between feet is the reason. A horse will get some 5000 volts between its legs, whilst a standing human only some 500. So a horse under a tree is not at all safe. Bring them in, as DrO says, before the storm.
Lightning rods are devices to attract and direct the lightning. They must be positioned a few hundred feet from the barn. Otherwise a branch from the attracted lightning can hit anywhere on or in the barn causing a fire. The current of the lightning must not dissipate through the barn floor. If the rod is on the barn itself or very close by, its grounding grid must be driven at least 3 meters deep and watered regularly.
Dry, hot, windy days build static charges everywhere and make lightning very unpredictable. In wet, cold days it will almost certainly hit the highest pointy spot. |
ilona armoni
Member
Username: Ilona
Post Number: 131
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 6, 2006 - 8:42 pm: | |
Christos is completely correct. In South Africa we had vicious lightning storms. Lightening rods were invariably placed a good distance from any building, or very very well grounded. They are attractants. It is mans attempt to harness and control danger. They worked well out on the farms where I spent a lot of time, and too were effective in cities. They are NOT a guarantee of safety, simply offer some percentage of safety. If you have ever watched weather professionals/researchers on TV monitor/measure the charge of lightening you will see the engineering of lightening towers. It is impressive, mesmerizing, and, the force of nature quite humbling. |
Shelley
Member
Username: Sswiley
Post Number: 172
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 6, 2006 - 11:15 pm: | |
Since there seem to be so many lighting experts here I thought I would relay an experience I had. We are lightening rookies in California. It is not common at all compared to other locals.
I saw a strike last winter about 1/8 mile tops from my house, where it hit the ground there was a giant red ball that glowed. Is this the way they all look?
I know I have seen strikes from further away and I have never seen this before. The only explanation I had at the time was that it might have hit their tractor. |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 965
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, Jun 6, 2006 - 11:35 pm: | |
They don't all look the same, Shelley. There are several different kinds of lightning and their appearance and effects vary according to the conditions of the very moment they strike. A spherical lightning is a relatively rare occurrence.
Several theories exist for the functions and mechanics of lightning. Its power being so great, it is extremely difficult to measure and analyse it so to verify these theories. Most we know is based on laboratory models and the study of the results of natural lightning, not measurements of natural lightning itself. |
Shelley
Member
Username: Sswiley
Post Number: 174
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 10:45 am: | |
Christos, thanks for the insight on lighting. How do you know so much . . . ?
I always wondered how much my horses were at risk and if the barefoot ones were better off than the shod. They always choose to stand in the middle of my arena which bothered me, but after reading this post I dont think the stalls are any more safe. They are open sided and surrounded by trees. |
barbara
Member
Username: Oscarvv
Post Number: 742
Registered: 10-1999
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 11:17 am: | |
Tim - I am so sorry for the loss of your colt. I hope that your mare continues to improve.
I live in 'lightening alley' - FL too. After every storm I seem to run into someone who knows of a horse hit by lightening. You can get lightening insurance on your horses here, I am not sure if that is done in other parts of the country.
One night watching the news during a storm, they said there had already been over 5,000 lightening strikes in the viewing area.
I either get them in before the storm or hold my breath until it passes. I keep an eye on the radar at http://www.weather.com I was foolish once to go out to get horses in a bad storm but will not again.
We have one tree on the property killed by lightening and our barn had a direct hit last year. We do have lightening rods on the barn and our attached residence. The horses in the barn were fine, but obviously scared.
-B |
Sue G
Member
Username: Warwick
Post Number: 360
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 11:50 am: | |
I am so sorry to hear about your tragedy, Tim. You have my deepest sympathy on the loss of your colt. It is heartening to hear that your mare is steadily improving. I wish you all the best for her.
I have absolutely no experience with lightening strikes as where I live, electrical storms are extremely rare and after reading your story, I am very grateful for that.
Best wishes
Sue |
Linda Sain
Member
Username: Banthony
Post Number: 26
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 12:15 pm: | |
Tim - How very terrible you lost your colt. Hopefully with time your mare will make a good recovery. I think lightning short circuits the electrical system of the body. And so the long recovery.
I live in Florida where lightning storms are almost a daily occurrence in the summer. With 14 horses it is impossible to get them all into the barn every afternoon. If it looks unusually bad we try to get a few in. Otherwise we hold our breath. Of course all the pastures have big oak trees in them for shade.
One of the pin hookers here lost almost an entire crop of yearling fillies a few years ago. One survived. Four were found dead under a tree. One was in a sitting position stone cold dead. The one that survived was never quite the same and couldn't run - but was OK for a broodmare.
We also had a sales prep colt that had been struck by lightning and kept his head cocked. A holistic vet worked on him and he got a lot better. Unfortunately he was turned back at the sale because x-rays showed one ankle severely demineralized even though he was sound. The vets said they had never seen anything like it. They thought that ankle might have been the exit point.
We take all halters off and nothing is shod - if that even helps.
Last year lightning struck the corner of the barn and we had a horse in the isle. The air actually sizzled. It scared us silly.
DJ - wild horses are killed by lightning. It was chronicled in a documentary about wild horses called "Cloud."
Your story is our nightmare during the summer. So sorry you had to experience this. I guess it is a lesson that it can happen anywhere. |
joj
Member
Username: Jojo15
Post Number: 729
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 12:29 pm: | |
barbaras post made me want to go look up the numbers on stastics. its very interesting. 1 in 5000 chance you will get hit/orindirect hit by lightening. and 1in 500 chance you will indirectly affected. ie. know a person who would get struck directly or indirectly. I bet these numbers go down when you add the horses we know about that have been struck... I have to say though i have never met a person that had a lightening experience striking the house, losing all appliances, etc.
here's a link to NOAA..
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/medical.htm
and what i keep reading is that my little barn shelter would be useless, UNLESS their was some kind of plumbing or wiring in it to assuage the lightening hitting the barn and having the metal plumbing be the conduit... good enough reason for me to get lights. grin. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 15828
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 12:31 pm: | |
Christos comments reveal something that is important to realize if you are caught out in a thunderstorm on a ride. It is the current that passes through you that kills you and often it enters one side through the foot then exists the other. The potential is increased when your feet are farther apart. You also see folks who huddle under a large tree. If on a hill top get off of it. Best is to tie your horse to the lowest tree you can find. Then get away a bit finding a low area and squat with your legs together until it goes over. If you have something insulating that you can squat on even better.
DrO |
Katrina
Member
Username: Kthorse
Post Number: 433
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 1:14 pm: | |
wow, its funny (not really)I never knew how much danger I was in. Growing up in australia we hardly ever had rain. We would get so excited when it did. especially, when it was hot we would go out and play in it, lightning and all, In fact most of the kids did. We would walk home from school in thunder and lightning. Reading this post makes me think I am very lucky. |
Mandy
Member
Username: Bucky
Post Number: 161
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 1:24 pm: | |
Dr. O your post reminded me that I know a man who was struck by lightning while on his horse. It killed the horse and melted his cowboy boots into his stirrups. I don't know how the man survived but he did. He does have heart problems. It also struck a bunch of my grandparents steers huddled together during a storm. It killed 20 of them, they figured it hit one and traveled through all because they were all bunched up. It has also started many of their haystacks on fire during the dry days of August and September.
Lightning is a scary thing - mother nature does what she wants! Found another interesting article here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightning
Very, very sorry about your colt Tim. Don't blame yourself and I hope your mare will come through fine. Keep us posted. |
timothy miller
Member
Username: Tpmiller
Post Number: 31
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 5:21 pm: | |
Thank You to all.
Trying to remain clinical, in the hope that the information in this thread may be useful to someone in the future. The loss of our first born, who exceeded our highest hopes in six weeks, has been difficult.
A picture of the mare's flaccid mouth as of yesterday, she can eat, graze, increasingly steadier, and the ulcerated eye is resolving slowly. The leg wound is healing, I wonder if that was not the exit point of the charge.
She was to the left of the colt, who was between her and large tree. There is evidence that she fell off to the left, colt dropped aside the tree, to his right.
There was a half-sister to the mare there, in shoes, no evidence that she was wounded or fell. She would not have been far away.
At some point, both mares travelled several hundred yards downhill and were standing in an open barn stall when I arrived. It is hard to believe the wounded mare was able to do that. Very unsteady through Friday, put outside for the first time Sunday.
Her recovery to date is amazing.
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Corinne Meadows
Member
Username: Corinne
Post Number: 405
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 8:01 pm: | |
Timothy,
My deepest sympathies for the baby. And may your girl have a speedy recovery. Thank you for sharing this information, however hard, so that we may as you say learn and may it help someone in the future.
God Bless,
Corinne |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 1403
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006 - 8:59 pm: | |
Poor thing! It is amazing she was able to make it to the shelter. She must be a tough "girl" with a lot of heart! (imo most Arabians are...especially mares.) It sounds like she is recovering, though. I can only imagine how tough this has been for you. It has brought up a good discussion; perhaps other lives (human and horse) will be saved because of this discussion. |
Christos Axis
Member
Username: Christos
Post Number: 966
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 2:47 am: | |
Shelley, I was working for 7 years right on a mountain peak, maintaining a communications link. Lightning was everyday business, we got 3-4 strikes a day during winter. |
Shawna
Member
Username: Qh4me
Post Number: 148
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 11:38 am: | |
Tim,
My deepest sympathies for your baby, and wishing a speedy recovery for your mare. She is a very lucky one, and with your dedication, I am praying for her to make a full recovery and to deliver you a beautiful foal in the future.
Thank you for taking the time to post your experience as it has given me and other HA members a wake up of how dangerous Mother Nature can be.
Lightning has always been a fear of mine. I hate storms, so when it looks like one is coming, I am heading out to get all the horses in. Our pastures have huge maple trees in it, which have been struck many times.
Just last week, I was sitting at work, when I checked the weather forcast, and it was calling for storm warnings. Out I headed from work, (with all my coworkers wondering why horses can't stay out in a storm) and made it home to put them in. That evening when I got home from work, there was half of a tree lying in the pasture. I don't know if it was struck by lightning, or possibly the wind, but never the less, I was thankfull I had put them in earlier.
As posted, the barn may not be much safer, but it gives me peace of mind to know they are in.
Unfortunately, as you found out, it is not always feasible to get them in on time.
Thank you to all for your experiences and knowledge. I have learned so much from this post. |
Kim von Asten
Member
Username: Twhgait
Post Number: 48
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 - 4:57 pm: | |
Tim, my condolences on your loss. Your mare sounds like one tough girl and she's lucky to have you. |
LL
Member
Username: Frances
Post Number: 249
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Jun 9, 2006 - 6:50 am: | |
Tim, I can't tell you how saddened I am to hear of the loss of your wonderful colt and the heartbreaking injury to his mother.
It does sound as if the mare, thanks to all your care, is making progress, and this at least is very good news. |
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