• Lightning strike and man-made electricity produce an electric shock which is defined as the effects of the passage of an electric current through any part of the body.
• Signs: usually fatal and horse found dead following thunderstorm in appropriate place, eg field under lone tree, near ungrounded wire fence, in stable unprotected by lightning rods. In the case of electrocution, an uninsulated live wire may be observed.
• Diagnosis: history of storm and appearance of horse. Singe marks may be seen on the legs and are pathognomonic for lightning strike.
• Treatment: horses surviving lightning strike/electrocution show nervous signs of varying duration and severity. Good nursing and supportive care is essential.
• Prognosis: usually fatal. Horses surviving take from minutes to months to recover.

Presenting signs

• Horse/horses found dead after thunder storm.

• Horses usually struck by lightning under lone tree, near an ungrounded wire fence or in a stable unprotected by lightning rods.

• Horse may be struck by lightning in an open field.
• Several animals may be affected in close proximity.

Cost considerations

• Not a cause of great economic loss to equine industry, but a potential threat to each individual animal.