With so many different types of bedding to choose from it can be hard to decide on which you’ll use for your horse.
Unfortunately there is no “one size fits all” answer to which type of bedding is best as it really is a horses for courses scenario where it comes down to what suits you and your individual horse.
For instance some horses may be very wet and need something super absorbent to keep their stable comfortable, while another may suffer from allergies if their bedding has a high dust content and another may be a nibbler who decides his bedding is a diet supplement!
And of course you need to take into account your own needs, whether that relates to your budget or how long it takes to muck out.
That means it can often be a case of trial and error to find the best horse bedding for you, but here’s our run down on some of the most popular types of bedding and the pros and cons of each.
Straw
Good old-fashioned straw still makes an ideal bedding for your horse as it is relatively cheap and can be thrown on the muck heap where it will break down to a good garden manure.
However, it can be bulky – making it difficult to store and can result in a very large muck heap that is difficult to dispose of. Some horses will eat it and others may be allergic to it.
Chopped Straw
Chopped straw is more expensive than straw but comes packaged in wrapped bales which can make it easier to store. The dust has also been extracted which can make it more suitable for horses with allergies and it is also non-palatable, so your horse won’t eat his bed.
Wood Shavings
Wood shavings can vary wildly in quality and in the amounts of dust they contain, making them unsuitable for some horses. However, the wrapped bales again make it easy to store, it is non-palatable and widely available.
However, wood shavings can be difficult to dispose of as they take a long time to rot down. Some yards do not allow you to use wood shavings for this reason.
Care also has to be taken with wood shavings to regularly remove droppings and wet areas to prevent the build-up of ammonia.
Wood Pellets
Wood pellets are heat-treated and compacted sawdust which you add water to to fluff them up and increase their absorbency. They are dust free, highly absorbent and have good eco-credentials as they decompose quickly.
However, they do require a little more time and effort than other forms of bedding as you have to add water initially. In their pellet form they can create a slippery surface,which can create a hazard for you and your horse.
There are other options such as paper, cardboard, hemp and flax bedding but these can be quite costly.
Help from our knowledgeable team
We stock a wide variety of horse bedding at Bettertack and our knowledgeable staff can help you make the right decision for you.
Come along and talk to us and explore all the other equestrian products, including yard accessories, feed, supplements, tack, rugs and rider clothing and protective gear.