Static shocks around horse

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dressage_diva

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The last couple of weeks I've found that when handling my horse we keep giving each other static shocks and it's becoming quite a big issue as he's genuinely scared when it happens and ends up pulling away from me in a panic! He's now anticipating getting a static shock and last night when I undid the velcro on his boot, the sound of that was enough for him to think he was getting a static shock again and he shied away from me in the stable!

Most of the time the shocks seem to occur when I'm on the ground in our school (wax fibre surface), e.g. when lunging him last night and I went to remove the lunge line I gave him a shock! I haven't noticed it happening in the stable. I've had it occurring when I'm wearing different clothing, so I don't think it's because of one particular item of clothing being particualrly static. Interestingly I haven't had any problems with my other horse, so it seems to be something specific to my WB.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what might be causing these static shocks and how I can avoid them? Once they've happened I find that if I go and touch the metal pillars in our school then I can touch him again without shocking him, but minutes later we are static again!

Nothing has changed in terms of his rug - he's still wearing one that he's worn before so I'm not sure what could be the cause!
 
Try different boots (yours not his) The horse is well earthed so it is you that is carrying the electrostatic charge. If your footwear does not allow this charge to leak away ,the first thing you touch will get a belt.
 
I feel your pain! I am forever giving Alf shocks - and he's a sensitive sort, so takes it very personally! Nothing to add to Mikes comments above - all makes sense. I am simply sympathising - I always feel awful when I touch him and he goes into orbit!
 
No advice but I sympathise! I've been getting awful static shocks whenever I touch any car for the last 3-4 weeks and it's driving me insane.
 
Thanks. Interestingly my boots are relatively new but I've had them for a couple of months now yet it's only been the last couple of weeks we've had an issue. Would really rather not change my boots as I'm quite an awkward fit and finally have found a pair that fits and is comfortable!
 
To be delicate.. I was once told that depending on what undercrackers you wear can effect if you get a static shock...

I get shocks all the time off my car and the last one. Drives me nuts!
 
Cats, horses, car, the draining board in my kitchen. The last 2 are less offended, the cats & horses are quite displeased. I have been told it's due to the air being dry. Try to gound yourself on something else, before you touch him.
 
Camilla's Aunty Em said:
Cats, horses, car, the draining board in my kitchen. The last 2 are less offended, the cats & horses are quite displeased. I have been told it's due to the air being dry. Try to gound yourself on something else, before you touch him.
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Thanks I've tried that - grounding myself on the metal pillar in our indoor works but only briefly and within a few minutes I'm giving him static shocks again.

ETS: I'm not usually a static problem - I have no issues with the car, dogs or my other horse so I don't understand why it's the combination of this one horse and me that is causing the issue!
 
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