I shocked my poor pony right on the ear this morning after pulling off her blanket and it really scared her. How do you avoid shocking them while grooming and unblanketing?
[QUOTE=Flash44;8944469]
I shocked my poor pony right on the ear this morning after pulling off her blanket and it really scared her. How do you avoid shocking them while grooming and unblanketing?[/QUOTE]
I touch one of the barn children or a goat. Seems to work… 
SO wasn’t impressed so I have to make up for that one…
[QUOTE=Flash44;8944469]
I shocked my poor pony right on the ear this morning after pulling off her blanket and it really scared her. How do you avoid shocking them while grooming and unblanketing?[/QUOTE]
When just grooming in the winter I quarter the blanket and move it slowly
never completely removing it .
If grooming for riding I do the same thing folding the blanket in quarters while grooming , it ends up a neat pile on their back and then I remove it slowly. Lifting it of the back rather than pulling it across them.
Moving it slowly and lifting rather than pulling seems to eliminate the static that causes the shock.
ua
Keep one hand in good contact, first and last.
Ex, my left palm stays on her while my right pulls the completely unbuckled blanky off. Then I take my left off of her and adios the blanky before doing anything else.
I have a spray bottle from the dollar store filled with water. A light misting of the horse before each grooming tool prevents shocks. I started doing this after I shocked my first horse just below one eye as I reached for the halter cheek very early in our first winter. The spray bottle has been an essential tool ever since. Right now it travels with me as my barn has no heat.
I also have a spray bottle of Health Haircare Skin and Coat Conditioner. Regular use (1-2x a week) seems to reduce the charge built up between horse and blanket.
spray the inside of the blanket with one of those no-cling antistatic sprays. Lasts several weeks.
I used to dampen my hands before touching the blanket. The spray bottle is a good idea too, if it is a fine mist.
Also, in dry frosty weather, stay away from the electric fence, and watch out if you are wearing a nylon jacket.
A young woman trying out my horse electrocuted my horse - she broke away from my hand and took a while for her to forgive my young friend. They are a good partnership now.
[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8944689]
Also, in dry frosty weather, stay away from the electric fence, and watch out if you are wearing a nylon jacket.[/QUOTE]
:lol::lol::lol:
The voice of experience!
I use a spray bottle of water. Lift the blanket a bit in the back, spray underneath. Fold in half towards the withers. Spray again. Fold in half again. Mist the neck and mane. Pull blanket off over head.
I shocked my poor geldings so many times last winter we’re all a little spooky about blanket changes these days :no:! I sprayed the inside of all of my blankets with Static Guard which helped a little, but keep these tips coming!
Folding the blanket instead of sliding it off does seem to help, but I think I’m a super static-y person :lol:, isn’t there a way to eliminate the static build up before touching your horse? Can’t you touch metal or something first?
http://www.target.com/p/static-guard-antistatic-spray-5-5-oz/-/A-13294243
Also, I’ve heard rubbing a horse down in dryer sheets cuts down on static and dirt. I haven’t tried this yet but I will be trying that this winter!
I’m another Static Guard plus Touch Something Else fan. I have trained myself to always reach for a wall or door as soon as I pull off a blanket.
Star
I spray my horse with showsheen - not in the saddle area, but around the shoulders and across the butt. Just a light misting. If I have time I spray the inside of the blanket too. This is the at the end of a ride or grooming session. You don’t need to do it every day, depending on how cold/dry it is.
It also helps prevent shoulder rubs.
I spray the inside of the cooler or blanket with Vetrolin Shine before I put it on. I will also spray my brushes with it before I use them. I find it is less slippery than Showsheen.
Static Guard on the inside of the blankets seem to work okay too or Health Haircare.
Fabric softener and water in a spray bottle. Spray lightly on side next to horse before putting back on. It will cut down on static charges building up when you pull it off the next time.
I have a cotton jacket that I assume will help - perhaps down filled will not build up static - will have to practice. Our cold frosty days are relatively rare here. But wearing a nylon jacket holding a nylon brush and approaching a horse with a nylon blanket on, standing near an electric fence…guaranteed electrocution.
I use water. Spray bottle if I think about it, or just sprinkles from the water bucket. I also very lightly dip my horse’s brushes in water before using.
When my mare was fresh off the track, we had a scary episode happen in the indoor one very cold, dry morning when I was riding her: another rider was warming up her horse with a fleece half sheet on. When she got off to remove the 1/2 sheet, she shocked her horse, who escaped her, ran straight at us and dropped and rolled right next to us. My poor little mare just froze in place and her heart was beating so hard, I thought she was going to have a heart attack. Then the rider started screaming and running toward her rolling horse (and us) and THAT took my little mare over the brink and me for a hell of a ride.
And that is my worst experience with static
[QUOTE=lachelle;8945271]
http://www.target.com/p/static-guard-antistatic-spray-5-5-oz/-/A-13294243
Also, I’ve heard rubbing a horse down in dryer sheets cuts down on static and dirt. I haven’t tried this yet but I will be trying that this winter![/QUOTE]
I tried this. Doesn’t work for brushing. Misting with some kind of spray works better. Of course my horse equally hates being sprayed. I spray the brush periodically. Helps well enough.
I too spray my horse with either showsheen or mane & tail. Usually mane & tail as it’s cheaper. I spray the shoulders and the top of the hindquarters and that keeps the static away. I spray every couple of days or so. Don’t spray the saddle area or else everything will slip.
I shocked my poor horse yesterday right on his face… NEVER has happened to me before after 13 years. i get static but on his body he usually doesn’t care lol. I didn’t realize and touched his poor face, he threw his head up, looked at me like he was betrayed and walked away from me. (he was out in the pasture) it could have ended worse.
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