What is your opinion on putting horses out in lightining storms

I generally bring mine in if I can get to them but I worry more about them panicing than the lightening. The only cases I've heard of where horses were killed by lightening they were in the barn & it was struck. The owners came out to find them dead with electrical burns. It is very rare that it happens inside or outside & I don;t think the fence will cause any additional risk. It is silly to think that it is mean to bring them in. Do not base ur actions on other people is opinions. I know people who think a horse is ''fat'' if it is back bone does not stick up but I am not going to starve my horse down so they will quit telling me to feed it less.

I'd keep them out and let them have access to shelter (if that is possible). If not, go ahead and put them up. They're probably used to it anyway.

I once had to ride in a lightning storm. it was not my choice either. Horses get spooked easily, and you skould probably bring them in.
Cowgirl**

Rain does not bother the horses. The fact is, a horse could get hit by lightening both in the barn (which would set it on fire meaning any horse caught in the barn would probably die) & they often stand under trees in storms which do occasionally get hit. I do know personally of two horses that got killed by lightening. I would say that either choice has it is risks & you, as the owner, need to decide what is right for ur horses. It is not 'mean' to make the best choice for ur horse & stick by it.

If the storm is really bad, & i mean lightening & thunder flashes every two seconds, pouring rain, howling winds-- then i advise taking ur horse inside any place u have-- stall, poll barns, anywhere with good shelter. If ur horse is jumpy during storms, in side of small places ( such as a stall ) then let him loose in ur indoor arena if u have one =) Normally they should be fine with some snacks, a flake of hay & maybe a little extra grain!

If it is a low grade thunderstorm, a few booms & flashes here & there it is perfectly fine to leave them out, most of the time they go inside of their lean-to if they have one, or stand in a low lying spot in the ground. they r very smart! If u have a rain sheet or blanket & it is chilly out, then put it on them to keep them warmer & dryer.

However, if u have a pasture with a lot of trees in it, the horses could have increased chances of getting struck or secondary struck by lightening, u should take them inside in this case. It is pretty much up to ur judgement on whether or not the storm is bad enough, but if the conditions could possible create a tornado, flooding, etc. take them in the barn & STAY with them.. if there is a tornado they should not be stalled, they need to be ready to be set free for a better chance of survival.

All animals should have a shelter of some kind to go to if THEY feel the need. Animals are smart .. they will take shelter when they feel/need to. I have a neighbor with horses also and they have no shelter of any kind..no matter the weather..I think this is cruel. I do not think it is necessary to ''put them up'' when a storm is coming on..like I said they will seek shelter when the need arises within their instincts.

I do not have a choice. They have a big pasture with a lean to for shelter. Whether they're inside or not is up to them. But if I had a choice it would depend on the storm. If there is a chance of a tree falling on their barn or a tornado, they're better off fending for themselves outside with a shelter.

Think of all the horses in New Orleans who starved to death or almost did because their owners decided to stall them. If they were out, they may have had a better chance of survival.

You r not mean at all to keep them in during lightning.lightning storms is in fact the only time I regret not having a barn to keep them inside.
(do not freek out folks, my horses have trees & run in shelters to escape the weather)
lightning has indeed struck & killed horses.fortunately in my area we do not get to many of them, but when we do I worry & worry about my babies. (I will soon build a barn & can guarantee u they will be inside if ever a storm comes around the corner!!!)
ok, aside from my rambling.yes, keep ur horses in, u r doing the right thing by ur horses.tell the folks that say u r being mean that they r more than welcome to treat their horses the way they see fit..and hope they will let u do the same!

Personally, my horse goes out rain or shine unless there is:

-a tornado warning
-a blizzard
-flooding

If your horses wear shoes, they are at a slightly higher risk for being hit by lightning, but I still think the risk is extremely low. Some horses freak out if they can not move around during a storm (like when they are in their stalls) anyway, so it is better if those horses stay outside.

We do put our horses inside in a storm. I do not need them crashing thru a fence in fear or getting hit by lighting. I throw them all a big flake of hay and they go thru all the thunder and such just fine. Always do what you think it best for your own horses, not what everyone else thinks. It seems like they are the uncaring ones to leave an animal out in the pouring or driving rain.

If they r out already & not easy to get in quickly, I say leave them out, the chances r pretty slim, just keep in mind horses tend to huddle under trees in severe storms & they r more likely to get a secondary hit. I personally bring mine in if it looks really bad, if its a light storm i dont, if they r in the big pasture, if they r in the paddocks I do. I just put so much love & time into them i dont leave them out for the possiblity. There r always a few instances u cant get them inside in time. Its the same reasons I never leave my dogs out till after the storm. Even my little goaty has to come inside.
ADDITIONAL INFO: No i dont think an electric fence is any more dangerous. Some parts of my large pasture is electric fencing, The paddocks r wooden railing. I have never had a problem or an incident with it yet.