Bedding Down...

[TheFarmersWife]

Hello again, forgive me if I'm repeating old posts, I'm new to the forum. We get our first pony this week eeeeeek!!!
Anyway, we have an enormous amount of straw on the farm and had planned to use that as bedding but current owner used sawdust and said we should too otherwise ponies eat their bedding.
Is this a huge problem, or do you use straw? The straw us free & plentiful but I'd have to buy sawdust so would rather not.
Thank you

 

[PucciNPoni]

Personally I'm not a huge straw bed fan, but that's because it's harder to manage (for me) than shavings or sawdust. But considering that you have it amply and cheap/free, then I would probably use it. I have read on this forum that some people make it less palatable for their horses by sprayinag jeyes fluid on it. Might be worth a try?

 

[LadyLuck1977]

Depends on pony, mine never eats her bed and i love her having a big deep straw bed.I take all the wet and dirty out as if not it can smell a bit. Why not try the straw first and if that doesnt work change to shavings.

 

[TheFarmersWife]

Thanks guys, think I will risk the straw and see if it causes a problem. It'll be much easier for me to dispose of too as the stable is near the cattle yard and then it can be spread with the rest of the muck.
You've made me feel much better about going against my friend's (current owner) advice.
L x