Static shocks and horses

[jessss]

I keep giving my horse electric static shocks when I take his rugs off! He's a sensitive soul and looks so upset every time I do it poor boy!

Any tips of how to stop this?

 

[KittenInTheTree]

A cotton undersheet.

 

[dorsetladette]

change the boots your wearing. I can't wear some types of shoes as I'll get static shock off everything I touch.

or touch something metal before you do rug changes to release the charge from you.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Thin pair of gloves on. I use huge insulated waterproof builder gloves but have a very thin pair I stuff down my front - I can whip them out for rug changing etc.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Slap your bare hands on the concrete first!!

 

[Bobthecob15]

Is it a specific rug? I know lots of fly rugs do this it’s annoying!

 

[jessss]

Is it a specific rug? I know lots of fly rugs do this it’s annoying!

I think it might be a mark Todd lightweight stable rug, he's only been wearing since it's got colder and seems to coincide with the shocks

Thanks for the suggestions all!! I will try some this afternoon and hope not to shock the poor boy again

 

[MerryMaxmas]

I get static shocks when grooming too, I've tried wearing gloves but they seem to build up more charge, have shocked a couple of horses (and me!) while grooming and changing rugs I do seem to be a particularly staticy person, it's so annoying

 

[marmalade76]

I had a massive one off my mare not long ago when grooming, it was only me that jumped!

 

[Fjord]

I get this with my mare and her fly rug a lot. Standing her on a rubber mat helped.

 

[ponynutz]

No help but I thought I was the only one! I get them in spring especially both when doing rugs and grooming which made me wonder if it has something to do with the moulting hair?

 

[Barklands]

If I remember correctly Premier Equine rugs are supposed to be anti static. Certainly don't get any shocks when taking off PE rugs but get huge ones from cheaper brand fly rugs in the summer! I feel terrible as the neddies seem to think its me shocking them!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I wonder if wearing a magnetic bracelet would help?? Just a thought. I will try it next time it's a problem for me.

 

[AmyMay]

I used to make sure I had a hand on the horses body before removing a rug. That made us ‘grounded’ and there was no shock.

 

[Gloi]

I wonder if wearing a magnetic bracelet would help?? Just a thought. I will try it next time it's a problem for me.

Unlikely.

 

[ThreeFurs]

As above. Also, 100% cotton no polyester under-rugs. I use Skye Park ones, but am in Australia. Along with gloves I've read some people dampen their hands before taking rugs off, but that's not going to work in a UK winter.

I've had success with removing rugs the 'proper' Pony Club way, ie: folding front half back, the back half forward and sliding folded rug off sideways. Reduced surface area? x

 

[MerryMaxmas]

I used to make sure I had a hand on the horses body before removing a rug. That made us ‘grounded’ and there was no shock.

I'll try that, guessing that would work when grooming too?

 

[lauragreen85]

I hate static shocks! This happens me eveytime i use the tumble dryer and turn off the light! It terrifies me lol

 

[Icedance]

It’s the dry air too which causes them, I keep shocking mine every day at the moment, I shocked him on the nose the other day after taking his rug off. Poor boy! I’m going to try the concrete slap!

 

[tda]

I do this too, I try to not wear much fleece . I bought a 2nd hand fly rug last year and it was awful, never put it back on the poor pony

 

[MerryMaxmas]

I hate static shocks! This happens me eveytime i use the tumble dryer and turn off the light! It terrifies me lol

I get them from the car door as well

 

[TheHairyOne]

I got my poor horse right on the end of his muzzle trying to give him a polo the other week. We both jumped (was a proper crack sound with it) and the look I got from him afterwards was very accusing. No idea what caused that one.

 

[Fransurrey]

I get them from the car door as well

Same. Sometimes really badly. Getting out of my own car I earth myself by putting one foot on the floor and touching the door frame with the key in my hand.

 

[MerryMaxmas]

Same. Sometimes really badly. Getting out of my own car I earth myself by putting one foot on the floor and touching the door frame with the key in my hand.

I touch the door with the back of hand as I get out that seems to help a bit

 

[Icedance]

I tried the concrete slap tonight before changing rugs and it worked!!

 

[MerryMaxmas]

I tried the concrete slap tonight before changing rugs and it worked!!

Definitely going to give that a go