|
Post by starbuck on Jun 10, 2010 9:01:22 GMT 1
I found that bedmax shavings worked best for my severe RAO mare and when I bought them by pallet worked out at 6.03 pounds per bale. Previous to this I had her on paper and found it very absorbent and very reasonable, but my mares RAO improved when I changed to bedmax.
|
|
|
Post by cavallocolorato on Jun 10, 2010 12:04:07 GMT 1
I find Easibed and/or Comfybed brilliant. I had to change onto dust free from straw as HH had a cough that we just couldn't shift. They're not the cheapest (Easibed is £8ish and Comfybed £6.50ish from my local supplier, both 25kg bags) but then I can't buy in bulk as my yard doesn't have the storage - I believe that if you can buy in bulk they are much more reasonable.
Both are made from recycled wood pallets, it takes about 4 or 5 to stock a stable from scratch and I go through about a bag a week to top it up.
The bedding is economical, and I don't throw much away each day, the wet goes to the bottom and stays there, the poo sits on top nicely as the bed is quite dense, and the best thing in my opinion is that it provides a good conditioning surface that isn't abrasive and that packs into the feet for my transitioning-to-barefoot horse. My EP has commented on how well he is doing and he thinks the condition of his hooves has really been helped by the bedding.
Not the cheapest on the market looking at other replies, but IMO great value for money, economical on volume and great on the hoof conditioning front.
CC
|
|
silversnaffles
Olympic Poster
'We should not be defining, merely deducing'
Posts: 588
|
Post by silversnaffles on Jun 13, 2010 11:09:28 GMT 1
I use ordinary woodshavings, topped up with a bit of sawdust. I have quite a few horses which have had lami, so it's just easier to put them all onto a nice firm soft bed. I took a horse to PC camp some time ago when cardboard was fairly new to the market and thought it didn't look very comfy, but maybe it's moved on since then.... We tend to sort of 'half litter' by removing all the dung and any real wet patches but we don't take every last scrap out as such, then with the bed which is a bit too far gone to be left in we sometimes bank around the edge, as although we have nice big stables we have had quite a few horses cast (good thing we do a last check at 11pm really....) It's not particularly cheap, a few years ago it was £5 a bale, but now it's more like £7, but sawdust is only about £3. I'd rather not know how many bales we get through as we have 8 horses.... x
|
|
birch
Novice Poster
Posts: 47
|
Post by birch on Jun 14, 2010 12:11:47 GMT 1
Miscanthus. brilliant stuff, Easy, nothing sticks to it, including fleeces and tails, so mucking out is a breeze, but very absorbent.
|
|
|
Post by Spirit of Wales on Jun 14, 2010 15:53:56 GMT 1
Sawdust, you can't beat it on price and mine is certainly dust free. It composts down well, produces smaller muck heaps and provides a lovely warm dry bed. I had several wary liveries who all either used shavings, wood pellets or straw, but now all have converted to deep litter sawdust beds, and all are well impressed and more than happy with cost.
I buy it by the 5 ton load for £180 delivered (This amount last us almost a year). Great value if you have space in a barn for it. Then charge my liveries £2.00 for the equivalent of a bale of shavings.
All I would say is make sure you source it from a good reliable sawmill, as the sawdust must be horse friendly, meaning not from toxic trees, no sharp pieces of wood, splinters, nails etc, and no glue.
I will never use anything other than sawdust now.
|
|
|
Post by sarahbing on Jun 17, 2010 14:01:20 GMT 1
Thanks for this thread. I was thinking about what to use next winter and the opinions and experience here have been a great help. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Susan on Jun 19, 2010 0:28:39 GMT 1
I love my paper when I was stablesd. I have used all the bedding talked about and stayed with paper. The mill is on my doorstep but still cheap. I have used sawdust when I got it really really cheap but it still smelt of urine against paper which does not. I also lve cardboard but paper is cheaper. I have tried saw dust under straw UCK.. I have tried paper under straw UCK all still smell. I liked the elephant grass that June got a while ago but the guy wants you yo have a lorry load! Still after trying ALL bedding apart from peat, and on rubber mats I still ove paper. I do small bed, more then a sprinking but enough to soak up wee and never had a wet floor. It is non dusty and breaks down on muck heaps quicker then ANY other bedding Sorry to say this but sawdust breaks down slowly compared to paper and straw. Not that eco friendly at all. But if really cheap or free well!
|
|