Types of Bedding for Horses

There are several types of bedding that are used for horses. The most popular is straw and the second most is wood shavings. You can also use paper and rubber mats. When deciding which type of bedding to choose it depends on the health of your horse. As most horse insurance customers will know, some horses may have allergies or other respiratory conditions which can be irritated by dust or mould found in some types of bedding. When considering which type of bedding to buy you will also need to factor in cost, storage space and muck disposal.

Straw

The most common type of bedding is straw and it comes in a variety of types. It is absorbent, cheap, warm and also easy to maintain.

Wheat Straw makes for excellent bedding and is the most popular kind. It can be used for deep litter and it takes about four to six bales to start a bed. You will need about five bales a week if your horse is stabled at night. Wheat straw is cheap and easily available. It is absorbent, warm and easy to muck out. Wheat straw is not suitable for horses with dust allergies or respiratory problems. The bales need a lot of space in a dry area.

Barley Straw is usually longer and of better quality and has a brighter colour than wheat straw. Barley straw can cause problems if your horse is prone to eat it to excess. Oat straw is edible and can be more expensive. This is the least suitable for bedding because it becomes saturated quickly. It gives a clean and bright appearance and can be disposed of easily. However, some horses will consume too much of the straw and become sick. It can cause problems such as a allergic cough due to the dust.

Wood Shavings

Wood Shavings are a popular form of bedding because it is very absorbent and easy to muck out. One important thing to remember, if you decide to use wood shavings you buy the type that is specially made for animal bedding. If you use shavings that are not purposely made for bedding it can be sharp and contain rubbish. Wood shavings can be used for a deep litter and will take four to five bales to start a bed. One disadvantage is that if you are unable to burn the shaving to dispose of them they can be hard to get rid of. They take a long time to rot down.

Shredded Paper

Shredded Paper is becoming more popular because it is one of the cheapest options. However, it is not suited for a deep litter bed. It takes about five bales to start a bed. Shredded paper has the same insulation qualities as straw or wood shavings, but it does require more cleaning and maintenance. It is completely dust free and is a good choice for horses with allergies. Newsprint is easy to store, light to work with and quite absorbent. It is very warm in the winter and isn t very expensive. The disadvantages of paper are that the dye can sometimes mark a horse s coat and it can ball up which leaves a bare floor for a horse to lie on.

Rubber Matting

The initial cost of rubber matting can be quite high; however there are practically no running costs. They are completely dust free and can be used with the bedding of your choice. They drain well and are warm. The soft rubber reduces the risk of injury and is easy to muck out. If you are going to use rubber matting you have to make sure the stable has good drainage if no bedding is used to absorb the urine.

As you see there are many different types of bedding available, so you should be able to find the perfect type to fit your needs.

Do you have a children or family friends who help out at the stables? Do you own stables and have advice for youngsters who want to get more involved with horses? Please comment here and share your experiences with other members of the AFI Horse Insurance Community.