Why is Bedding Important?
Bedding does more than absorb urine. It gives traction and can prevent a horse from slipping. It provides comfort, allowing a cushion for a horse who wishes to lie down. Lastly, it provides warmth on cold days and nights.
What Factors Should I Consider in Choosing a Bedding Material?
The primary concern should be toxicity. Is there something in the bedding that could irritate a horse’s feet or skin? Pine and cedar work well as deodorizing agents, but some horses are sensitive to pine and cedar and may develop a rash; check your horse’s legs for signs of irritation when making any bedding change.
Wood shavings and sawdust direct from the mill may contain metal pieces, which are extremely toxic and dangerous. Straw and sawdust can be subject to mold. Any bedding should be thoroughly inspected not only when received, but periodically, to make sure that it does not present a toxic hazard to your horses.
The next consideration is dust. Fine particulate matter can cause respiratory conditions or worsen those already present. The ideal bedding has a low dust count.
Absorption is the next major consideration. Hoof thrush and other ailments can result from a horse standing in wet, soggy bedding; therefore, adequate absorption is an important factor. If you muck and skip several times a day, absorption will not be as critical as for those whose stalls are only cleaned once a day.
Finally, cost might impact your decision. However, good mucking methods can reduce waste. Also, some products, though more expensive at the outset, can actually be cheaper in the long run since less waste is involved when cleaning out the stall.
Stall Mats and Soil Conditioners.
One thing to consider under any bedding is a rubber stall mat.
Studies have shown that horses incur less injury if allowed to stall on flexible material that gives slightly. This is especially true if you have hard, concrete floors in your stall.
Dirt floors can be a mess to muck out and clean thoroughly, and rubber stall mats are an excellent choice over dirt, too. They provide traction as well as comfort, and can reduce the amount of bedding you need to apply since the cushion factor is already provided. The rubber mimics the springy texture of pasture, which is the natural environment for a horse. Use a good quality, thick rubber mat that has ample cushion, oftentimes called a “mattress” layer, underneath the top layers of rubber.
Another option for those who have dirt floors and struggle to maintain dryness is a product called Drystall. Drystall is a permanent earth conditioner that reduces mud, improves traction, and provides absorption. Nevertheless, it provides no comfort or springiness so you still need bedding on top of it. Another similar product, but made out of clay, is Equidry Bedding.
The use of a drying soil conditioner below low absorption bedding (such as straw) can create an ideal situation for you and your horse. Part of the urine will pass through the bedding into the ground, where the urine’s ammonia will be broken down by natural soil agents, while the bedding on top remains a soft, warming cushion.
How Often To Clean Bedding?
Soiled bedding causes health problems, such as sores from ammonia buildup and hoof thrush, and promotes the breeding of flies that carry dangerous diseases. Twice-a-day mucking and skipping is the optimal level of bedding and stall care. Once-a-day, minimum, is required. If you have time to do it throughout the day, so much the better. A clean, dry stall, with adequate air flow, contributes to lower vet costs in the long run.
For cleaning all types of bedding, you will need a manure fork (for solids), a square-nosed shovel (for wet spots), and a wheelbarrow. Use a plastic-tined fork for rubber bedding since metal can damage the mat.
Plastic-tined for use with rubber mats:
Used straw bedding can be sold to those who farm organically, so you can get a return on your outlay. Often, mushroom farmers will haul it away at their own expense. Or, you can compost it yourself to make nutrient-rich mulch. Soiled wood shaving, chip or sawdust bedding does not compost well.
Never spread used bedding on pasture or areas where horses graze. Uncomposted manure can spread disease. Instead, create a compost pile and “cook” it according to organic principles. Our BellaOnline sections on Gardening can assist you in building a compost bed.
There are numerous choices nowadays for stall bedding. Read Horse Bedding Choices to get an overview of the many choices available to you.
