Am I using too much bedding???

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Morrigan_Lady

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www.teamterrellshowjumping.co.uk
Ive got two horses, both on straw deep litter and I use 10 bales every two weeks.

Does that sound like a lot?

If you think about it, thats 5 bales a week, so 2.5 bales a week per horse, so I dont think that sounds alot.

What do you all think?

Im trying to be as economical as I can and my horses do have lovely big beds, but if theres a better way of doing it, Im all ears!
 
I have 5 on rubber matting and straw. I deep litter all week and muck out wet on a Saturday. They all have approx 2 'slabs' to top up mid week, then about a 3rd of a bale after deep litter muck out each Saturday.

I find this a really cost effective and easy way (except on a Sat morning when i'm sweating my way through 5 beds!) :)
 
Not too much straw but if you could get big bales then much cheaper!! Also depending on the cost and avaiability of your straw you could maybe consider wood pellet bedding. Due to price and availability of straw and also I suppose my horses stable behaviour, they work out cheaper! Two bags each per week and semi deep litter with a good clear out ever two to three weeks. Not everyone likes it tho and If I hadn't developed an allergy to straw, I'd probably use it as you do!
 
You can never have too much bedding!!!!! my horse has learnt how to climb on to his. Comes well above his knees, he is 15hh.

Although saying this he is soooo clean, TB has mats and a square of straw in the corner to lie on, she is the most disgusting thing i have ever met, don't like her not having a big bed but costs sooo much and she lies down everynight on the mats and not evenn on the straw i do give her.
 
Can I just hi-jack a wee bit and ask. when you guys say deep litter, do you still take out the poo?

Never done it before and I'm looking for time saving tips so just wondered what you do.

Thanks!
 
Blimey - I thought my horses were dirty - I get through 4-6 bales a week for 4 horses. They have big banks and deep beds and are mucked out fully every day. I am fussy about getting all the wet and pooh too:eek::eek: Suppose I should count my lucky stars
 
yep take out the poo, and add a bit of fresh and don't touch the wet, keep going

and then you can either take out the wet once a week or month or year:) simples
 
Can I ask...how do you dispose of your straw muckheaps?
We are not allowed to use straw on the yard I am on, as the YO says it fills the muckheap up too quickly and is too costly to dispose of.
 
Misinterpreted said:
Can I ask...how do you dispose of your straw muckheaps?
We are not allowed to use straw on the yard I am on, as the YO says it fills the muckheap up too quickly and is too costly to dispose of.
Click to expand...


Our muck heap gets spread on the farmers fields, only gets done once a year though and by that time it is MASSIVE!!! Gets higher than the stables!!!
 
Have 4 horses on rubbermats and straw and I give them a fresh bale every second day and it works, just muck out as usual and then top up. I use to have them on shavings but to expensive and the shavings take months to rot down and not so easy to get rid off.
 
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