Horse Bedding
A Basic Overview of Bedding Options
Horse bedding is another one of the many choices you have to make when it comes to horse keeping. If you travel with your horse or keep him stalled at times during the day, you may have put some thought into what bedding you place under his feet. Usually when we haul horses to a show we will either stop and buy some bagged shavings or purchase some from the show office upon arrival.
I have found that bedding with shavings to be much easier when traveling with a horse. You can purchase what you need in advance and maybe save some money if you buy some beforehand than if you wait and get it at the show. Below are a few different types of horse bedding options to consider when choosing what to use with your horse.
Bedding Types
Straw:Clean straw horse bedding is typically used for broodmares with their new foals. It is important to use straw bedding that is clean and free of dust and mold. This is also due to the fact that some horses will attempt to eat the straw. Not the best choice for a horse on a regular basis and for travel, though I have seen straw bedded stalls at shows.
Shavings:
Shavings are by far a popular choice for horse bedding. If you have a barn full of stabled horses, or your horse is boarded at one, the shavings will arrive by the truck load. If you travel, you can purchase shavings by the bag at the local tack or feed store.
Shavings come in a few different types. Most preferable are softwood sources for shavings. Sawdust can also be used in a stall, just be sure you are aware of the type of wood the sawdust is from. Sawdust does also produce an excess amount of dust in the air and is not the best choice for horses with any type of respiratory problems.
Wood Pellets:
Wood pellets are a more compacted and dehydrated form of horse bedding. Pellets are basically dried and compacted wood shavings. They are a little more expensive in cost up front, but they are also reportedly easier to clean with less wasted bedding during cleaning.
Paper:
Some people have also used shredded paper as a bedding choice. It may be a good option if you have a horse that eats bedding. It also does not produce any dust. The ink in the paper may contribute to skin allergies. It may also present as more of a challenge to clean.
Moss:
Another horse bedding choice is peat moss, which you can pick up at co-ops or local home and garden stores. It has also been known to be used as a base underneath other types of bedding. It may not be the best choice for horses with respiratory problems due to the fact that it can be dusty.
Hemp:
This is a type of bedding that is gaining in popularity, but not available in all areas.
Stall Mats:
Mats are typically seen in many horse barns usually when a horse is stalled for a regular period of time. Stall mats cost more up front, but will save amount of bedding you need to put in the stall. They are usually made of a rubber material and add a base of comfort and support under the other choices of bedding you can place over top of it.
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