Providing the right bedding for your horse’s stable or field shelter plays a vital role in their comfort, health, and overall wellbeing. A well-chosen bedding material helps create a dry, supportive place for horses to rest, while also reducing the risk of common issues such as respiratory irritation, hoof problems, and skin sensitivities.
Key Factors to Consider
Before selecting a bedding type, it’s important to consider how the stable is used and the conditions it will face.
Absorbency and Drainage
Wet bedding can quickly lead to poor hoof health and increased ammonia levels, which may affect a horse’s lungs. Highly absorbent bedding helps maintain a dry, hygienic environment.
Ease of Cleaning
Low maintenance bedding is particularly important in outdoor shelters or high-use stables. Materials that are easy to muck out save time and reduce waste.
Comfort and Depth
A minimum bedding depth of 4–6 inches is recommended to provide enough cushioning for joints and muscles, especially for horses that lie down frequently.
Low Dust Content
Dust-free or low-dust bedding is essential for horses with respiratory conditions or sensitivities.
Cost and Availability
Choose bedding that is affordable and consistently available to avoid switching products too often.
Base Layer
Using stable mats or a layer of wood chips underneath bedding can reduce the amount needed while improving comfort and insulation.
Wood Shavings and Wood Chips
Wood shavings are one of the most popular choices for horse owners due to their high absorbency and resistance to mould. They provide adequate and consistent cushioning which is ideal for good hoof support. It’s also less wasteful than straw and easy to muck out for your convenience.
If your horse has respiratory issues or tends to eat their bedding, this is also a suitable choice. It’s possible to get dust-extracted shavings which are especially popular due to their low dust content. Some owners choose to mix shavings with wood pellets to improve dryness and cleanliness. Always ensure the shavings are good quality, as cheaper lower grade alternatives may contain splinters or debris.
Wood Pellets
Wood pellets are produced from compressed sawdust and are designed to expand when exposed to moisture. Once prepared correctly, they create a highly absorbent and tidy bedding surface with very low dust levels.
To avoid slipperiness, wood pellets must be adequately wetted before use. Many horse owners choose to combine pellets with wood shavings, using the pellets as an absorbent base layer and the shavings to improve comfort and cushioning on the surface.
Straw
Straw is a traditional and cost-effective bedding option that remains widely available. It is easy to lay and offers reasonable drainage, making it a practical choice for some stables.
However, straw requires frequent upkeep and breaks down quickly, which can lead to a messy stable environment. It can also produce higher dust levels and is therefore less suitable for horses with respiratory issues. Straw is best avoided for horses that lie down frequently or have sensitive skin, as it may not provide sufficient cushioning or cleanliness.
Paper
Paper bedding is typically produced from shredded newspapers, magazines, and other recycled printed materials. It offers a low-dust, non-palatable option, making it suitable for horses with respiratory sensitivities or those that tend to eat their bedding. While paper bedding is often one of the more cost-effective choices, a larger quantity is required to create a deep, comfortable bed.
Mucking out can be more time-consuming, as longer paper strips may clump together and make it harder to separate droppings. Additionally, once wet, paper bedding can become heavy and soggy, reducing its practicality and ease of use in everyday stable management.
Rubber Stable Matting
Rubber stable matting has become increasingly common as a base layer in modern stables. Although the initial cost is relatively high, it is considered a long-term investment that can save money over time.
Rubber mats provide excellent support for a horse’s hooves and limbs while improving grip and reducing the risk of injury on concrete floors. They also reduce the amount of bedding required and can significantly speed up the mucking-out process.
Despite these benefits, high hygiene standards are essential when using rubber matting. Mats should always be used with a layer of bedding on top to absorb urine and contain droppings. They must also be lifted and thoroughly cleaned underneath on a regular basis, particularly during warmer summer months, to prevent the build-up of ammonia and dirty bedding material.
Maintenance
Regardless of the bedding material chosen, regular maintenance is key to keeping the stable clean and comfortable. Droppings should be removed and the bed raked daily to maintain hygiene. Bedding depth should be topped up by one to two inches each week to preserve comfort and absorbency. During winter, adding extra bedding helps provide warmth and insulation for resting horses.
At Norton’s Fencing, we offer a range of equestrian fencing and gate solutions, working with you to design, plan and install the perfect space for your horses. Contact us today to discuss your requirements.
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