Bedding: Make the Right Choice for Your Situation, Part 2 of 4
by Alayne Blickle
Dozens of bedding products available to horse owners today boast a variety of benefits, including odor control, low dust, quick composting, and ease of storage. In this series, we are looking at how to choose the right bedding for your situation – your needs, your horse’s and your land’s needs. Last month we assessed your situation and needs in the barn. This month we'll cover bedding availability and selection criteria.
After you have determined your particular needs for bedding and how you plan to utilize stall waste generated on your property, it’s time to see what bedding types are readily available in your area and if they meet your selection criteria.
Different products are available in different locations. You may find a supplier in your area that offers a non-traditional bedding material that may be cost-effective for you to investigate. For example, if you live in a heavily timbered area you might find good sources of alder sawdust or pelleted bedding. In another part of the country, newspaper bedding might be more readily available. Other non-traditional bedding materials available in some parts of the country include rice hulls (Northern California area), wheat by-products (Eastern Washington), kenaf (a fibrous plant grown for paper on the East Coast), and other products like shredded phone books or cardboard. Don’t be afraid to shop around and ask questions.
Selection Criteria
First, determine if the product is healthy for your horses. If you choose a non-traditional product, be sure to check with your veterinarian or another knowledgeable resource (like Cooperative Extension www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/). Some materials, such as black walnut, are extremely toxic to horses.
Chipped landscaping material from tree trimming services is not recommended as horse bedding. Many types of trees are toxic to horses when eaten, especially those of the landscaping variety such as black locust, parts of oak trees, horse chestnut, many kinds of fruit trees, etc. Also, horses could be tempted to eat the molding green material in landscaping chips. Another health factor to consider is whether your horse will be tempted to eat the bedding. This is often the case with different types of straw beddings. If so, is there a health risk?
Absorbency is next selection criteria. The primary purpose for bedding is to absorb urine and moisture. The more absorbent a bedding is, the lower the levels of ammonia will be in your barn. Very absorbent bedding allows you to reduce the amount you use, thus saving money.
How well it composts is another consideration. Whatever you use as bedding is going to end up in your manure pile. Whether you plan to use the final product on your property or give or haul away straight stall waste, what’s in it may either deter or encourage folks. Large wood chips will break down much slower than smaller particles. Products like peat or newspaper (covered next month) compost exceptionally well. Mushroom growers usually won’t accept stall waste with wood products. On the other side, commercial composters may not accept stall waste with straw. Knowing what you plan to do with your stall waste plays a large part in determining which bedding product is best suited to you.
Cost is the final factor. Many products may be more expensive pound for pound, but if they are highly absorbent you won’t need to use as much in the stall. When you are able to purchase in bulk – either loose in a large storage bin or bagged or baled by the ton or pallet – you will be able to take advantage of a cost savings.
Inquire at your local feed store about the types of bedding products that they carry. Many stores carry a selection of bagged and baled beddings, so call around and compare costs. Bulk loose shavings and alder sawdust (which we discuss next month) are available from shavings supply companies. Check in your phone book or on the Internet.
Discovering other product options may require some sleuthing. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet, farrier, or other horse owners what they use and what’s available locally.
Happy Horsekeeping!
~Alayne
Next month we begin reviewing specific bedding types.
Bedding Selection Criteria
Look for material that is:
· Safe for horses
· Absorbent
· Easy to compost
· Available
· Easy to store
· Low dust
· Chore efficient
· Cost effective
Dozens of bedding products available to horse owners today boast a variety of benefits, including odor control, low dust, quick composting, and ease of storage. In this series, we are looking at how to choose the right bedding for your situation – your needs, your horse’s and your land’s needs. Last month we assessed your situation and needs in the barn. This month we'll cover bedding availability and selection criteria.
After you have determined your particular needs for bedding and how you plan to utilize stall waste generated on your property, it’s time to see what bedding types are readily available in your area and if they meet your selection criteria.
Different products are available in different locations. You may find a supplier in your area that offers a non-traditional bedding material that may be cost-effective for you to investigate. For example, if you live in a heavily timbered area you might find good sources of alder sawdust or pelleted bedding. In another part of the country, newspaper bedding might be more readily available. Other non-traditional bedding materials available in some parts of the country include rice hulls (Northern California area), wheat by-products (Eastern Washington), kenaf (a fibrous plant grown for paper on the East Coast), and other products like shredded phone books or cardboard. Don’t be afraid to shop around and ask questions.
Selection Criteria
First, determine if the product is healthy for your horses. If you choose a non-traditional product, be sure to check with your veterinarian or another knowledgeable resource (like Cooperative Extension www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension/). Some materials, such as black walnut, are extremely toxic to horses.
Chipped landscaping material from tree trimming services is not recommended as horse bedding. Many types of trees are toxic to horses when eaten, especially those of the landscaping variety such as black locust, parts of oak trees, horse chestnut, many kinds of fruit trees, etc. Also, horses could be tempted to eat the molding green material in landscaping chips. Another health factor to consider is whether your horse will be tempted to eat the bedding. This is often the case with different types of straw beddings. If so, is there a health risk?
Absorbency is next selection criteria. The primary purpose for bedding is to absorb urine and moisture. The more absorbent a bedding is, the lower the levels of ammonia will be in your barn. Very absorbent bedding allows you to reduce the amount you use, thus saving money.
How well it composts is another consideration. Whatever you use as bedding is going to end up in your manure pile. Whether you plan to use the final product on your property or give or haul away straight stall waste, what’s in it may either deter or encourage folks. Large wood chips will break down much slower than smaller particles. Products like peat or newspaper (covered next month) compost exceptionally well. Mushroom growers usually won’t accept stall waste with wood products. On the other side, commercial composters may not accept stall waste with straw. Knowing what you plan to do with your stall waste plays a large part in determining which bedding product is best suited to you.
Cost is the final factor. Many products may be more expensive pound for pound, but if they are highly absorbent you won’t need to use as much in the stall. When you are able to purchase in bulk – either loose in a large storage bin or bagged or baled by the ton or pallet – you will be able to take advantage of a cost savings.
Inquire at your local feed store about the types of bedding products that they carry. Many stores carry a selection of bagged and baled beddings, so call around and compare costs. Bulk loose shavings and alder sawdust (which we discuss next month) are available from shavings supply companies. Check in your phone book or on the Internet.
Discovering other product options may require some sleuthing. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet, farrier, or other horse owners what they use and what’s available locally.
Happy Horsekeeping!
~Alayne
Next month we begin reviewing specific bedding types.
Bedding Selection Criteria
Look for material that is:
· Safe for horses
· Absorbent
· Easy to compost
· Available
· Easy to store
· Low dust
· Chore efficient
· Cost effective
Labels: alayne blickle, Horse Farm Management, March 2008
posted by NWHS at
6:52 PM
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