‘I put my sunglasses on, tied a sweatshirt around my face and went to try to get the horses out': Comanche couple recalls bee attack that killed 3 horses

Yahoo

14-05-2025

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article contains images that may be upsetting to some readers.
COMANCHE, Texas ()- On Friday, May 9, a swarm of bees took Comanche couple Baillie Hillman and James Ramirez by surprise. The bees attacked three of their horses, which they had let out to graze in a make shift pen on their front lawn just earlier that morning. The couple worked with local first responders for about two hours to dispel enough of the swarm so that the horses could be taken to safety. During that time, the couple suffered multiple bee stings, a head injury from one of the frightened mares, as well as the death of all three horses.
'At about 11, I went out just to check on the horses, and I noticed that they weren't moving and weren't eating and that's not normal,' Hillman told KTAB/KRBC.
It was then that Hillman noticed a swarm around the horses, which she described as an opaque 'black cloud'. At first she thought it was a swarm of flies, but after approaching and getting stung, she returned inside to cover her exposed skin in whatever clothing she could find. After several unsuccessful attempts at getting the horses to move, she decided it was time to call her boyfriend and emergency services.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Three horses killed during bee attack in Comanche County
'Pulling in, it just looked like a black cloud over all the horses. I didn't know what to think. I just knew I had to get them out of there. . .I put my sunglasses on, tied a sweatshirt around my face and went to try to get the horses out,' said Ramirez.
Emergency Medical Services had arrived around the same time as Ramirez. Responders tended to Hillman's stings as Ramirez worked to save their horses, and nothing was going to stop him from doing all he could.
'He even got struck on the top of the head. A horse hit him on top of his head, and he ran to the ambulance with blood running down his face asking if he was good enough to go back out. The EMT said 'I don't think you need any stitches', so he put his hat back on and went back out,' Hillman recalled.
Shortly after Ramirez was struck, the Comanche Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene. CVFD Administrative Officer Shane Stalnacker says they had requested beekeeping suits from the nearby Guthrie Volunteer Fire Department, as well as bringing some dish soap that they could add to the water tank of the brush truck.
CVFD fire chief Jeffrey Jaccinto says Ramirez took one of the beekeeper suits and helped to calm and halter the horses while Stalnacker manned the brush truck hose.
'I put the dawn dish soap in the tank so we could provide the water and hopefully make enough foam to try to get the bees off the horses,' said Chief Jaccinto.
The forethought to bring dish soap belongs to Chief Stalnacker, who says they are used to responding to these kinds of calls around the hotter months.
'Maybe not to this extreme, but we deal with bee calls at least once a year, especially during the summer time,' Stalnacker said.
The soapy water proved effective in repelling and suffocating the swarm long enough for CVFD and Ramirez to get the horses to safety. However, over the next few hours their horses, Ace and Clovis would succumb to their injuries. The last remaining horse, Pepper, was able to be taken to a vet in Stephenville, though her outlook was poor and she only survived for about 24 hours.
'She had a trache [tracheotomy] in her throat because her face swelled up so much she couldn't breathe, and she ended up having a seizure and dying too so we lost all three horses,' said Hillman.
Photos below were all taken at veterinarian's office prior to Pepper's passing.
Chief Jaccinto commended the couple for their quick action and bravery in their attempts to save their horses, adding that he is glad the loss of life did not include their own. Ramirez and Hillman have been raising horses for many years, Hillman as an enthusiast, and Ramirez to compete in rodeo roping performances. They say it was beyond heartbreaking to see their beloved horses pass away in such a slow and painful manner.
'The horses were our best friends pretty much so It was just tough losing them,' Ramirez said.
'We wouldn't wish it upon anyone,' added Hillman.
Since that day the couple have had the tree removed their land sprayed and are working to be more vigilant for areas in which hives may take hold. Ramirez and Hillman advise others to be proactive about preventing bees from taking up residence on their own properties, as well as being prepared to call emergency services or veterinarians if an attack should occur.
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