Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/static.html

Here is why it happens. The issue is the dry air. Water vapor molecules 
help remove the extra built up charge and keep everything electrically 
neutral. When they are not present (very dry air) the charge builds up 
and a spark results.

Charge will dissipate more rapidly from a sharp point than a flat 
surface ( how lightning rods work ). If you move the tip of your finger 
toward something you will get shocked more often then if you move the 
flat of you hand toward them. So you might try in these conditions to 
move the flat of your hand toward him and touch him with the flat of 
your hand. The you can slowly drain the charge without a spark by 
rubbing your hand over him.

Truman

Lori Bertolucci wrote:
> Hi all.
> Here is one I haven't seen mentioned before, and I really need some 
> help. Our air is so dry that my horse has a major build up of static 
> electricity in is coat. His tail really shows it. It is starting to 
> get where I can't even touch him without shocking him.
> Yesterday, I was trimming his hooves, under his back leg, and 
> apparently shocked him pretty good, because he did something he has 
> never done. He snorted, jumped out from under me and kicked me!  Just 
> prior to that I had gotten a small shock, and pretty darned certain 
> that is what happened again. But it must have been a strong shock for 
> that reaction.
> He was pretty contrite afterwards, even coming up to me with his head 
> down to be petted. And even in that short of time I shocked him as I 
> reached for him! Poor guy...Even his blanket shocks him.
> Is there anything I can do, short of not touching him, which, of 
> course, is not an option.
> Is there any products made that I can spray on to him that will maybe 
> last?
> It is starting to warm up a bit here, and when it does I will try 
> human hair conditioner on him, but not really certain that is good for 
> his coat and skin.
> Any suggestios?
>  
> Thanks.
>  
> Lori
>  
>  
>  


--

"Mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what 
we are talking about, nor whether what we are saying is true." Bertrand 
Russell


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=