Straw
Straw is the most traditional bedding and has been used for centuries. There are three main types of straw: wheat, barley and oats. Some horses consume straw bedding, meaning this is not a suitable choice for all stables.
Benefit
- Straw is readily available, but the season can increase costs somewhat as harvest approaches and supplies are low
- It is a relatively inexpensive bedding material
- It is easy to use
Cons
- Straw can vary greatly in quality and can contain large amounts of dust and mold spores
- Straw bales are rarely odorless and the manure pile can be large and difficult to keep clean
- Straw may not be a suitable bedding material for horses or handlers prone to respiratory diseases, or for horses that eat their bedding.
Tarwestro
Wheat straw is the most commonly used type. It is a warm, comfortable bed that is easy to handle and allows free drainage. Wheat straw is usually readily available, although it is often the dustiest straw.
Gerst stro
Barley straw is often the cheapest, but is not always the most suitable for horses. The ears in the straw can sting very much and cause skin irritation.
Haver stro
Oat straw is often of higher quality and more golden. However, horses are more likely to eat this type of straw. It also tends to be more absorbent, which can make pooping more difficult.
Treated straw products
Treated straw products consist of chopped straw that is sometimes mixed with other bedding material. Sometimes essential oils are also added. This type of bedding is usually more consistent in quality than conventional straw. Treated straw bedding comes in wrapped bales that are easier to store than traditional straw bales, but this type of bedding can be more expensive than other types of straw.
Wood curls
Wood shavings have been a popular horse bedding for years and are often used for horses that suffer from respiratory problems or horses that tend to eat other types of bedding. The quality of wood shavings varies greatly, especially in terms of dust content. Dust extraction is the most popular because it is of higher quality and has a low dust content. Low-quality chips, often a byproduct of a sawmill, are not suitable for horse bedding because they may be contaminated with sharp shavings and other potentially hazardous waste. The skim marks with the largest chips are usually made of new wood and may have a lower dust content. Wood shavings provide excellent support for the horse's hooves because they are compressed into them. Chips are usually packaged in polyethylene-wrapped bales, making them easy to stack and store.
Grated wood fiber
Shredded Wood Fibers are specially made from select reclaimed white wood, making it one of the 'greenest' bedding products available. This product has a low dust content and is absorbent, keeping the surface of the bed dry. It is less likely to move, so it can help reduce the risk of injury when the horse gets up and lies down. The quality of the shredded wood fibers is of a consistently high quality and is available everywhere. In addition, it provides support to the hooves and is easy to handle with very little waste, producing one of the smallest piles of manure.
Flax and hemp
Flax and hemp bedding is made from the chopped stems of flax and hemp plants. This ground cover material has become increasingly popular in recent years and has a low dust content. These bedding can often be more expensive, which can limit its appeal. It is rare for horses to eat the bedding, but there have been reports. It is therefore important to pay attention to this, as flax and hemp are relatively indigestible. It is packed in strong plastic bags for easy storage.
Papier
Paper is usually shredded and consists of a mixture of newspapers, magazines and other unwanted printed material, with varying absorbency. The main advantages of paper are that it contains little dust and is not tasteful. However, the long strips of paper are more difficult to cut out because they can stick together and be difficult to separate from the feces. Bales are usually wrapped in polyethylene, making them easy to store. Paper is one of the cheaper types of bedding, but it may take many bales to create a thick bed, and ink can also stain a light layer. When wet, paper can become less user-friendly and very soft.
Pap
Cardboard is usually shredded and is another low-dust material. However, it can move around the stable like paper, leaving only spots when the horse gets up and lies down. Cardboard clumps together when wet, making these stains easy to remove, but it can be difficult to separate them from the feces, which can lead to waste.
Rubber size
Rubber mats have become commonplace as a partial alternative to bedding in stables. Although the mat is initially expensive, it should be seen as a long-term investment.
Rubber mats provide excellent support for the horse's hooves and limbs and minimize the risk of injury because they cover the concrete floor and provide better grip. Rubber flooring comes in individual mats that interlock, or can come in a liquid that forms a seamless floor that does not require lifting for cleaning.
We strongly recommend placing a good layer of bedding on the mats as this will absorb urine and retain faeces. Some people choose to use rubber mats without bedding, although we at BHS do not support this practice. This management option can lead to wet floors, dirty blankets and horses. Many horses do not like to pee on hard surfaces, so adding bedding can help prevent this problem.
When using rubber mats, hygiene standards must be high. Mats should be lifted and thoroughly cleaned from underneath to prevent ammonia build-up and soiled bedding. Ideally this should be done at least once a month and more regularly in the warmer summer months.
In general, rubber mats are easy to handle and although the initial cost is high, the amount of litter used can be significantly reduced, saving time on clean-up and reducing the size of the manure pile.
Purchase of bedding
Local feed dealers and farm shops have many different types of bedding and can often order a specific product for a customer. Bedding suppliers can supply large quantities directly to individual yards or local retailers. Buying in bulk from large yards can help reduce costs.
Straw is usually purchased from a local farmer who often delivers to your farm. The quality of the straw and the price per bale will vary from supplier to supplier.
Some livery stable customers may find that the stable owner provides bedding that is included in the price of the stable, or it can be purchased from them. This is often easier, but can be difficult if you want to use a different product.
