electric shocks when grooming

[margaretb]

I have noticed the past couple of days when grooming Poppy that I am getting electric shocks off her, and she is noticing them too! Any ideas on how to prevent them?

 

[tibby]

I have the same problem, thought it was only me!!! Help please, I am on rubber mats and wear rubber wellies.

 

[ibot]

ah that is intresting i have had them in the past. do you pick your feet up when you walk? i know when i am in a shop with crimbo decorations i am always getting shocks off them..

 

[Fii]

For some reason horses coats are more staticy (sp) when they are moulting, if you wear a fleece it makes it worse, and all the hair stickes to it any way, i am going to try wearing washing up gloves to see if that helps. Also damping the brush may make it better, just dip the brush in water and shake it all out before using.
Disclaimer; this may work, but please don't hold me responsible if it does'nt.

 

[PeterNatt]

It is the synthetic material in the clothing that you are wearing that is generating the static electricity when you are moving while grooming. You need to wear natural cotton clothing to prevent this happening.

 

[golddustsara]

You need to wear natural cotton clothing to prevent this happening.

That did make me chuckle!

 

[tibby]

Hi Peter, I do wear cotton clothing and no fleeces, it makes no difference!! Perhaps I am a highly charged person!

 

[lialls]

If the horse is wearing a rug the horses coat may be being charged by the rug and then transfered to you when you groom him. I find that useing a cotton sheet under rugs stops this from happeneing. Or you could be charging the horses coat with the brush, maybe try a different brush? I would guess a body brush or dandy brush would have this charging affect, not sure what other brush to try though!