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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 13:48:53 GMT 1
Post by lucyandspin on Dec 28, 2006 13:48:53 GMT 1
I'm new to this forum stuff so first of i'll say hi from me and my NF pony Spindal.
I have just started to use shredded cardboard for Spin as she has developed a dust allergy. Only problem is i'm finding it really difficult to muck out without throwing half the good stuff away and at £3 a bale (which are about 1/2 the size of a shavings bale) it's costing me a fortune. I'm using a shavings fork and she is on rubber matting but i like to give her enough so shes comfy when she lies down. Does anyone use this stuff and have any ideas/tips on the best way of mucking it out without wasting it. I am extremely poor at the moment as trying to start up my own business so any advise would be appreciated.
Thanks for your time
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scatcat
Elementary Poster
Posts: 99
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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 14:06:35 GMT 1
Post by scatcat on Dec 28, 2006 14:06:35 GMT 1
I dont use this bedding & know nobody that does. I use bedmax, which the vets tend to use as the dust content in very low, its big chunks of woodchip & easy to work with. I love it.
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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 15:46:26 GMT 1
Post by Lesley from Kent (Floydsmum) on Dec 28, 2006 15:46:26 GMT 1
Umm, I haven't seen or used it either, I've used Aquamax which is FANTASTIC, Megazorb which is very good and I now use Abuiose just because that's what they sell in the feed room next door to the yard! I have to say all three of these are excellent, very absorbent, dust free and VERY easy to muck out! Even when the wet has been left in for three days, the rubber mats underneath have stayed dry!
Aquamax is a wood pellet and is about £5.50 per bag but it expands really well into a saw dust type thing (you damp it down to help it expand). You only need to take the wet clumps out every few days and it keeps very fresh pine smelling for days. I'd give this about 9/10 for performance (ie. keeping the top of the bed dry), ease of mucking out and economy.
Megazorb which is a fine paper pulp is about £5.80 a bag and again that is very absorbent. It can get a little dusty but no where near as dusty as normal shavings. I'd give this about 7/10.
Abuiose is a hemp based bedding and is about £7 a bag but you get loads in it and I get through about a bag a week and Floyd can wee for England! I take the wet out every three days or so but the top of the bed stays really fresh and clean looking. This is totally dust free bedding. I'd give this about 8/10.
The great thing about all of these (apart from the fact that you use a hell of a lot less bedding and it's so quick and easy to muck out) is that the bedding doesn't stick to the rugs!
I should also say that alot of people give their horses nice thick beds so that it's "nice and comfy when they lie down" which is absolutely right if you don't use rubber mats. However, rubber mats are warm in themselves and to be quite honest, have you seen your horse lay down out in the field? Has he/she got a nice thick bed out there to lay on???
I personally use enough bedding to soak up the urine - about 1/3 of the stable and about 3" thick - the rest of the stable is free so that he can have his hay off the floor so that he is able to carry on grazing in doors!
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Nessie
Intermediate Poster
IH Member
Posts: 169
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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 16:01:32 GMT 1
Post by Nessie on Dec 28, 2006 16:01:32 GMT 1
Haven't used shredded cardboard so can't offer any useful suggetions. Confirmed Abuiose user (prevously on shavings) and still struggle with shavings fork - much easier, and quicker, with my hands [and rubber gloves]!
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knk
Advanced Poster
Posts: 420
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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 16:21:38 GMT 1
Post by knk on Dec 28, 2006 16:21:38 GMT 1
Welcome Lucy and Spin, I used to use cardboard on rubber mats. The type I used was shredded into small squares, I don't know if that is what yours is like? I used a shavings fork but to be honest if you have the time you are better off skipping out first with rubber gloves and then finding where spin does the weeing and using your fork for that bit. Also, depending on how mucky Spin is - I used to do a 'full' muck out every day and leave the bed 'up' so that the mats had time to breathe. I hope this helps? OO do you get funky colours too , we used to have pink, blue, green, yellow and white..... www.walmsleypremierbed.co.uk
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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 18:18:54 GMT 1
Post by lucyandspin on Dec 28, 2006 18:18:54 GMT 1
knk it is the stuff that is shredded into small squares i have been skipping out with rubber gloves but since changing her bedding Spin has decided the best thing in the world is to trample her droppings all over the place so they all end up tiny, i'm quite lucky in that she doesn't really wee in her stable unless she has been in all day or if i don't get her out in time in the morning. i too only cover about 1/3 of her stable with bedding as she has soaked hay on the floor and it would obviuosly make the bedding wet she still amnages to kick it all over the place though. thanks for all the advice will probably keep using this as a lady down the road from me sells it and we get all sorts of colours very appropriate this week as we had green and red bedding ideal for christmas
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sundance
Olympic Poster
Advanced Poster
Posts: 690
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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 18:46:05 GMT 1
Post by sundance on Dec 28, 2006 18:46:05 GMT 1
I have stopped using any bedding with my rubber mats as I find it easier to clear the lot out and hose down every morning. The only downside is that the horses can get a bit messy. I put my haylage in llarge plastic boxes which I bought from a discount shop and these are also useful for soaking hay and keep the bedding, if used, and hay separate.
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berylsmum
Grand Prix Poster
My Baby
Posts: 1,712
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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 20:56:48 GMT 1
Post by berylsmum on Dec 28, 2006 20:56:48 GMT 1
I have never used shredded cardboard but would highly recommend Aquamax. It is really absorbent so you don't have to take much out. Also since it is so fine when laid if you take the poos out with a shavings fork all the clean bedding drops away easily so you don't waste any. Gydja uses one bag at £5.50 every 12 days which I think is pretty good.
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Bedding
Dec 28, 2006 21:30:05 GMT 1
Post by Teeni on Dec 28, 2006 21:30:05 GMT 1
I guess an alternative to cardboard could be shredded paper. I have been using it for quite some time now and really like it. Very easy to muck out, really absorbant. The only down side is that it sticks to anything when wet, so i have to bash my boots against the stable wall before leaving my stable or you can see where i have walked across the yard. lol. Its not that bad really
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