On rare occasion, you may see your horse hit by lightning or standing near where lightning strikes. Lightning can strike a horse directly, run along the outside of the body (called a flash over), jump from its initial target to another, or enter through a limb in contact with the ground near the strike.

The high voltage electrical charge can damage all organ systems, including the skin. The circulatory, respiratory and nervous systems commonly sustain damage and sudden death may result. Even if your horse is not directly hit by lightning, they may suddenly and violently respond to this stimulus, suffering other traumatic injury including blunt trauma or bone fractures.