Probably a strange question but:

[Dteccytiv]

Every time i groom my boy with a body brush, i seem to build up static and if i accidently touch him with my hand i give him an electric shock. Before i touch him i have to discharge the static, which i usually do by touching anything metal, which isn't pleasant to do. I was wondering if anyone else has this problem and how they over come it, or is it just me. Please help for my horse's sake.

 

[Abbeygale]

I have this problem with 1 particular brush that I use. I think that I had read on here someone suggesting holding your other hand against you, so that you won't build up the static. I have been doing this, and it does seem to work.

I managed to zap my mare on the end of her nose once - which she did not appreciate at all! So I do try to be careful to not do that again to her!

 

[lucy1984]

hahaha I thought I was the only one! Particulary in winter when I'm changing rugs I have problems with static electricity! Every evening when it came to changing his rug he used to shy away and hold his head up in fear. This was awful, so I used to keep touching the metal edging round his door frame of his stable to get rid of it! Poor little sod. It really hurts aswell!! Is it something to do with materials you/horse wear? Such as nylon/footwear?!! lol

 

[Dteccytiv]

Thanks flo-bell i'll give that a try. I do groom him in gloves, but i do forget occasionally, i even have to cover my arms if i'm wearing a t-shirt, because if he nuzzles me i shock him, no wonder some days i can't catch him. i even thought that rubber soled boots may help, (they didn't). Maybe i should walk around with some of those anti-static strips, that you see on the bottom of cars.

 

[mik]

try using 2 hands one following the brush and holding a towel, works for me.

 

[Rouletterose]

I've always got loads of static when I have just washed my hair, it's long and when I take jumper off over my head, if it's dark, you can see like flashes of electric! I've also given my poor horses electric shocks especially on just arriving at the yard straight out of the car and go and say hello over the stable door.

I found, either rub my hands on the wood of the stable door first, or just rub my hands on the concrete or dirt, not very nice if it's wet, but ok if dry. That seems to work for me.