WINNSBORO, TEXAS — A lightning strike during a storm killed five horses at Hooker Ranch Equine Refuge in Winnsboro, Texas. The five animals were gathered near one of two feeding stations on the property when the strike occurred, while most of the herd was at the other feeding station.

Ken Smith, the husband of the refuge's founder, first noticed something was wrong while looking out a window at the property as the storm moved through. "I looked, and five of our horses were laid underneath a tree, and I knew immediately what had happened," Lisa Smith, founder and president of Hooker Ranch Equine Refuge, said.

Two of the horses killed were older retired draft horses named Thelma and Louise. Some of the animals had recently been rehabilitated and were available for adoption, and one had been adopted by a volunteer and her daughter, who had been visiting the refuge regularly to train with the horse. Smith said she called the volunteer to tell her. "I immediately called her and let her know. That was really hard."

Staff loaded the dead horses onto a trailer for removal because animals at the refuge are not buried on-site due to safety concerns. "Our goal is to never allow any horse to suffer. We hope they didn't suffer," she said. "It really emphasizes how we need to be safe. It's very dangerous."

Lightning strikes involving livestock occur occasionally in open fields but are rare. The refuge was established in 2022 and focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming at-risk horses, particularly those in danger of entering the slaughter pipeline.

Since opening, the refuge has taken in about 600 horses, which are regularly adopted or transferred. Smith began rescue efforts as a teenager. In a recent interview, she described the daily turnover at the property. "We have a revolving door. Every day it changes," she said.

The refuge relies on donations and volunteer support to operate, with major expenses including feed, hay and veterinary care. Community members reached out through social media to offer help following the incident. The refuge accepts donations through its website, along with feed, hay and other supplies, and is seeking larger equipment such as a tractor.