For the first time in his short life, Thunder felt the sun on his back and the earth under his hooves.
The 2-year-old Paso Fino stallion had lived in a dark, narrow stall in Lake Wales, Florida, never once turned out to pasture. When he was finally released into an open field, he exploded with joy—running in circles, kicking up his heels, and bucking with the uncontainable energy of a life finally freed.
Thunder’s story, captured in a now-viral 20-second video, began with a tip to the Polk County Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit. Deputies arrived at the property on Poe Road and found eight horses, 11 goats, and two sheep in dire conditions, including one horse already dead upon arrival, according to FOX 13 News.
Thunder was kept in a dark, cramped stall his entire life.
Living in Squalor
Thunder had been confined to a stall so small and dark that he had never once experienced freedom of movement or light. He was malnourished, with visible ribs and hips. His only companion in the barn—another horse—was found lying in its own feces, too weak to raise its head. That horse died before help arrived.
The animals were surrounded by filth and debris. Investigators found broken appliances, rotting garbage, old tires, and swarms of flies across the property. One of the most alarming discoveries was a trough filled with a toxic mix of antifreeze and gasoline, leaking into the water the animals drank, PEOPLE reports.
Deputies discovered Thunder severely underweight with visible bones.
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Thunder was taken to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Stockade, temporarily described as “Horsey Heaven” in comparison to the place he came from.
In the video shared by the Sheriff’s Office, Thunder prances, sprints, and leaps around a pasture—pure relief and happiness on display.
“This is his first time ever experiencing a pasture and being able to run free,” deputies wrote in a June 3 post. “And he is loving it.”
Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the importance of public vigilance.
“We appreciate the tipster who alerted us to the deplorable conditions on this property,” he told FOX 35 Orlando. “It’s a shame we were unable to save one of the abused horses, but we will make it our mission to rehabilitate all of the animals that were subjected to this filth and neglect.”
The Charges and the People Behind the Neglect
Joemanuel Nunez-Suarez, the 40-year-old property owner, told authorities he was caring for the animals for a friend and had asked that friend to retrieve them months earlier. He claimed they were too expensive to feed. But deputies weren’t convinced. Nunez-Suarez now faces multiple charges, including felony animal cruelty and confining animals without proper food, care, or sustenance.
Barbara Suarez, identified as Thunder’s legal owner, was charged with animal neglect and resisting arrest. Additional individuals on the property, including Jorge Almeida Rodriguez and Idanys Queveto, face environmental crime charges, while Hennycha Rosa Rosa was also charged with resisting arrest, Sacramento Bee reports.
What Comes Next for Thunder
The future for Thunder and the other seized animals depends on legal outcomes. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the best-case scenario is full surrender of the animals by their owners, allowing the department to place them with certified rescue organizations, FOX 35 Orlando reports. If not, the agency may pursue court orders to take permanent custody.
As of now, Thunder remains in the care of authorities. But what’s certain is this: his spirit remains unbroken. Thousands of social media users who watched his release described being moved to tears.
“Seeing him run brings tears to my eyes,” one commenter wrote, while another noted, “You can just see how spirited, free, and happy he is now.”
For a horse who knew nothing but darkness, the light has finally come.
