October 2005

Stop Blanket Zap

That static-electricity “zing” can be scary to your horse, making blanketing difficult.

Keep a cotton sheet under your horse’s blanket to help minimize the chance of static electricity.

Blanket zap from static electricity is a minor annoyance to some horses and a source of horror to others. This is a very individual reaction. The same blanket will be fine on one horse, while another may be zapped from it so badly that he’ll suddenly fly backward, becoming a serious danger to himself and anyone around him.

Dry winter air, especially after a snowfall, sets up conditions where static electricity is conducted more easily on your horse, abetted by a long winter coat and synthetic blanket materials. …