Boarding Stables - What to Look for in Horse Bedding

For many horse owners, having private stables at home is not an option and horse boarding stables are the only option available. While there are many things to look at in the different horse boarding stables, one of the important things to look at for the horse's comfort and good health is the bedding. Whether checking full service boarding stables or personally choosing your horse's bedding, there are a few things to consider before settling.

There are several different types of bedding to choose from that will also have a wide price range. The following is a list of the most common bedding used today:
StrawWood shavingsWood pelletsHempCardboard (as a base layer)Rubber mats (as a base layer)

Straw

Straw seems to be the most inexpensive type of horse bedding, and paired with a cardboard base, it will certainly save on the cost, but certainly a lot more work to clean up properly. Straw absorbs liquids quickly, which causes it to decompose quickly as well. It is much more difficult to clean, and the average stall would require two to three bales each time. One last problem that straw may have is the fact that many horses and ponies are inclined to eat this bedding type, which may cause some health problems.

Wood Shavings

Wood shavings are among the more popular horse bedding materials, since it is quite easy to clean out. Though more expensive than straw, wood shavings are great for drainage and keeping a dry top layer, easy to clean out without a lot of waste, and does not require as much of it compared to straw. The most important thing to remember is to check which wood the shavings are made from, since the harder woods like walnut and maple will have a higher chance of harming the horse from splinters. Softer woods like cedar and pine are not only more comfortable for the horse, but help to eliminate any ammonia scents in the stall.

Wood Pellets

Wood pellets are basically compacted and dehydrated wood shavings that work very well with drainage and covering a larger area while using less product. Just as with the wood shavings, asking about the type of wood used will be important for the horse's well-being. While the pellets may seem quite hard and uncomfortable for the horse, just sprinkling it with a bit of water will fluff them up for a comfortable bedding layer.

Hemp

Hemp has recently become more and more popular as bedding material in stables. Not only is it comfortable for the horse and very absorbent to keep the stable dry, but it is also an organic material that doesn't affect the environment negatively. While it may be more expensive than straw and wood shavings, it lasts much longer and easier to clean. One of the main downfalls for hemp is that some horses may eat this bedding, which will cause problems in their stomachs.

Cardboard

Cardboard may be the cheaper option for a base, but it may certainly cause more problems when mucking. Cardboard is a wonderfully absorbent material, but also becomes very heavy to muck out.

Rubber Mats

Rubber mats are wonderful for the horse's legs and grip, which will reduce any slips in the stall, and when used as a base with a stall that includes a drainage channel, it is a great way to add some padding for the horse's comfort. Easy to clean, it is a great alternative to gravel and cardboard.

Each bedding type will have their pros and cons, so looking carefully at your horse and what would work best is important. Making sure all products are dust free and less likely to grow mold will be a great benefit for your horse's respiratory system.

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