The Phoenix Filly

Static electricity can have shocking results! There are many horses that find the shock not only painful but alarming – as it seemingly comes out of nowhere.  Many horses may try to flee after the shock which can result in injury, a loose horse, and in a few rare cases, death.

If your horse runs or moves away from you when you are trying to unblanket in the winter, they might be tired or afraid of being shocked. Although it is a small and instantaneous happening, a shock caused by static instantly puts the horse on edge.

A surprise burst of pain is not something you want a large 600-pound plus animal to react to. Horses can strike out, flee, bite, kick, and many other similar actions when trying to escape the thing that shocked them and caused them pain.

Dry climates and blankets in the winter months can build up static electricity. The blanket and the horse are in contact and are often moving against each other as the horse roams about its stall or pasture. The shock may result when trying to remove the blanket or when brushing the horse or its tail when static electricity is present in very dry conditions.

The horse may associate a shock with its blanket or stall or even with a human, so it is important to try to minimize the static for everyone’s safety. There are a few things to try to help reduce static electricity and keep your horse comfortable. These can be a combination of products and methods to help keep everyone safe and static electricity at bay.

Products to Try to Reduce Static Electricity:

Show Sheen (other shine, detangling, or coat conditioner sprays) helps condition the coat, repels dirt, and gets rid if static electricity. You can spray the horses coat and/or put a spritz on the underside of their blanket. Spray their tails too which can also accumulate a LOT of static electricity in the winter.

Static Guard – a lot of horse owners swear by static guard. You can usually find it in the laundry section of major superstores such as Walmart. Spray your horses blanket before putting it back on. NOTE** One of my horses has very sensitive skin and I was not able to use Static Guard. Try a test area to see f your horse has any reaction.

Dryer Sheets – Dryer sheets can be used to rub down the horse, its tail, brushes, and blanket. I have seen encouraging results using dryer sheets, but conditioning sprays re still my favorite static remover.

Water – applying a damp rag to your horse’s tail, coat, brushes and blanket can help remove static. This is a good practice before you groom to minimize the risk of shock.

Wrist bands – there are anti-static wrist bands that many people swear by. These might help curb the static problem while working around your horse. They are generally inexpensive.

Steps to Take to Reduce Static Electricity:

• Keep one hand on the horse – acts as a ground
• Lift blanket, don’t pull or tug
• Avoid polar fleece – materials such as fleece are more prone to static electricity
• Take one for the team – touch something metal before touching your horse to eliminate the shock
• Spray a conditioner spray on your brush periodically as you are grooming – think fine mist and not a drenching spray
• Damp rag to wipe down brushes, the blanket or your horse.
• Lift blankets off, don’t pull them across the horse’s coat.
• Wet your hands before touching your horse to remove its blankets

Something as small and insignificant as a static shock can ruin a horse’s trust in you, their blanket, and the grooming process. The fear of continually getting shocked can replace any logic in this large animal’s mind. The fight or flight mentality can kick in, leaving their human in a precarious situation.

Use caution and take a few quick preventative steps such as using a spritz of coat conditioner or a damp rag to help put everyone’s minds at ease. Do you have any other tips for preventing a static shock?