Horse terrified of Static!!

[wizzi901]

Ok something I have never come across in the last 30 years! Newbie Fred, totally chilled mr calm, except when changing rugs etc he goes nuts due to the static noise/sensation when changing them etc.

Have tried tying him up, just rears, have tried taking time and feeding whilst changing rugs, he loves his food, but the minute he feels/hears static he freezes and panics!!

Have tried different rugs......other than him get chilly by having just a standard rug with no underug which I hate as I prefer to layer it gives more flexibility....sometimes we get a bit of static without rugs involved!

Anyone else had this and overcome it?

We can work round it no problem but would hate to put him through this everyday as he is genuine sort.

 

[S_N]

Buy a full neck cotton summer sheet, to go under ALL rugs. This should eliminate static. Poor fella, I'm not fond of static either!

 

[wizzi901]

Thank you will try this!! Tried fabric stuff the lot!! His lightweight cotton sheet is miles better than a fleece but will try and get a new one!

 

[Lucy_Ally]

Use only natural fibres so only cotton lined rugs rather than the slippery nylon ones and this should eliminate static.

 

[Roany-pony]

I have been having a similar problem for the last 6 weeks now,but the static always appears when I am grooming my boy.I now have to groom him in the stable or untied as he just goes crazy otherwise.It is starting to worry me abit as he is beginning not to trust me.

Hope you solve yours soon.

 

[not_with_it]

put lots of mane and tail conditioner on the areas where the static is. Just dont put it where your saddle goes.

 

[TinselRider]

if you can afford one some fal pro rugs have x static in them, grooming wise i have found the bently slip knot brushes help

 

[wizzi901]

well he got worse tonight lol!! Having been a bit freaky this morning (admittedly they changed fields and gorged on grass!) he came in, took rugs off and he got fidgety and do you think I could get near him!!

Couldnt even get a headcollar on him, he was terrified of the slightest touch in case he got a shock! Poor thing!

Took an hour to get headcollar on him as stupidly we usually rug in the stables as they feed, its just routine....so we got rug on an hour later, and he was jumpy as hell. I have asked YO to leave him in for the morning with mine nextdoor and then I will go up lunchtime and have a handling session!

Failing that will be tying him outside for rug changing each night, hoping that he doesnt snap the baler twine lol!!

Joy!!

 

[_jetset_]

I am having the same problem with Grace... her fleece (Hannah's old one) seems to do this to her although never did to Hannah. Grace shoots through the roof when it starts and to be honest I don't blame her because I get a static shock after taking it off from whatever I touch next (whether that be my coat, the wooden stable door, poor Grace and even the concrete floor).

Can someone recommend a rug that I can put on to cool her off after work that does not do this???

 

[AmyMay]

I would always put my hand on Amy prior to removing the rug. That way we were both 'grounded' and there would be no static shock!

I do the same with the car, only with my feet.

 

[RobinHood]

If it is such a problem couldn't he just keep his turnout rug on in the stable?

 

[barkinghorse]

Jess was like that, she would bolt around the field if i put her fly sheet on.
Taking it off was a big problem, she would buck and sit down.
I always had to put a cotton sheet on under all her rugs, which i had to wash in Comfort every week.
She never got over it, i was told that due to her breeding, (T.B) she had exceptionally thin skin and coat.
No help really, (except the Comfort) just wanted you to know you're not alone.
Jo